Dr. Hobart (Hobe) Jenkins, 92

Hobart (Hobe) Jenkins passed away on March 15, 2016, at age 92 in Bellevue, Wash. Born in St. John, Wash., on Feb. 17, 1924, and graduated from Rogers High School in Spokane in 1941. Joined the Army Air Corps and flew B-24s in World War II with the 15th Air Force 464th Bombardment Group, earning numerous medals, including the Distinguished Flying Cross. His patriotism and love of country was expressed through his continued military service in the Air National Guard and Air Force Reserves. He retired at the rank of Lt. Colonel.

He married Marilyn Samuel in 1942. After World War II, he earned his B.S. and M.S. at Washington State University and began a lengthy career in education; including high schools in Dayton, Sunnyside, Langley and Mead, Wash. Received his Ph.D. from WSU and began a career in higher education administration. Held positions at University of Washington, University of Idaho, Centralia Community College, and was president of Spokane Community College. His leadership, contributions and vision for SCC were honored with the naming of The Jenkins Wellness Center.

He managed the family homestead wheat ranch in St. John throughout his adult life. He loved fishing, hunting, flying, baseball and the WSU Cougars.

Upon retirement, he and Marilyn moved to Bayview, Idaho, where they built their dream house on Lake Pend Oreille. He loved the community and became its advocate writing and receiving grants for the building of their community center, the Kokanee Recovery Project with the Idaho Department of Fish and Game, the Wildflower Recovery Project, and for modernization of the local water, septic and fire systems. He served as Bayview Chamber of Commerce president, Water Board president and longtime adviser on diverse projects for community improvement. He was on the board of Kootenai Electric for many years. He passed his sense of civic responsibility and pride on to his family whom he loved deeply.

He is survived by his three daughters, Susan Seiber (James), Kathleen Currie (Michael) and Patricia Jenkins; three grandchildren Sandy Long (Chris), TJ Seiber (Sara) and Chris Currie; and six great-grandchildren.

Please share condolences and remembrances online in the obituary section at www.bartonfuneral.com.

Hobe asks that in lieu of flowers, donations be made in his name to the Bayview Community Center, P.O. Box 493 Bayview, ID 83803 or the Hobart Jenkins Memorial Scholarship Fund, Community Colleges of Spokane Foundation, P.O. Box 6000 Spokane, WA 99217-6000.

Internment services will be held at 1:30 p.m. Friday, April 8, 2016, at the Tahoma National Cemetery. Memorial service will be held at noon Saturday, July 9, 2016, at the Bayview Community Center.