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Robert W. Jenkins ‘Bob,’ 95
Robert W. Jenkins “Bob,” 95, passed away peacefully Tuesday, June 6, 2017, at his home in Coeur d’Alene, Idaho, surrounded by family and friends. Bob was born Sept. 14, 1921, to Willis and Irene (Hays) Jenkins in Boulder, Colo., and the oldest of four children. After Bob graduated from Boulder High School, the family moved to Southern California.
Bob enlisted in the Army Air Force on Jan. 7, 1944, and served as a B-17 pilot until July 1945. He was a first lieutenant in the 8th Air Force — 100th Bomb Group. He flew 35 missions during World War II stationed at Thorpe Abbotts airfield in rural England. Most of his missions were completed over Germany and was awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross for heroism and extraordinary courage in battle. He was also awarded the Air Medal and D-Day medal. He would often say he was shot up, but never shot down. Bob was especially proud of his participation in D-Day. Perhaps fitting that he passed June 6, on the anniversary of D-Day.
Upon leaving the Air Force, Bob went into the consumer finance business in Southern California with First Thrift, Morris Plan and Western Financial Savings Bank.
Bob married Virginia Powell on Feb. 7, 1947. To this union was born Donald (Danielle) Jenkins of Jamul, Calif., William (Kay) Jenkins of Riverside, Calif., Steven (Susan) Jenkins of Santa Rosa, Calif., and Diane (Alan) Asper of Coeur d’Alene. Bob enjoyed playing golf at the Victoria Country Club in Riverside where he was a member for nearly 50 years. He also enjoyed trout fishing, traveling with Virginia, and spending time with his four children and nine grandchildren who he cared deeply about whether near or far. They were always in his heart.
Sadly, Virginia passed on April 28, 1996, and on Dec. 1, 2001, not long after he retired from Western Financial, he suffered a debilitating stroke. After a lengthy rehabilitation, he moved to a ranch in Coeur d’Alene with his daughter, Diane, and her family in August 2005.
While in Coeur d’Alene, he was a member of the VFW post 889. He also frequently attended the Kootenai Senior Care. Everyone who met Bob loved him dearly because of his wit and charisma. Wherever he went, he would wear his leather bomber jacket displaying his medals and his 100th Bomb Group cap. He was extremely proud of his accomplishments from World War II and openly talked about his missions. He had plenty of stories. He would always announce his arrival at senior care saying “SOB is here.” Sweet Old Bob. Whenever anyone asked Bob how he was, he would often say “like a hardboiled egg, can’t be beat,” or “like a broken drum, can’t be beat.”
Bob loved his horse ranch — called it his little slice of heaven. He loved watching the horses running in the pasture, and really enjoyed seeing all the turkeys, deer, moose and elk as they were “his” wildlife.
Bob will be missed by so many whose lives were touched by this amazing, heroic, caring, generous, hardworking and funny man (always had a joke to tell).
He leaves behind his sons and their wives; and his daughter and her husband; along with nine grandchildren, Sarah (Andrew) Briedis, Meghan Jenkins, Ted Jenkins, Katy Jenkins, Annie Jenkins, Michael Jenkins, Charles Jenkins, Andrew (Tori) Asper and Leanne Asper.
There will be a private celebration of life on Thursday, July 27, 2017, at the Kootenai Respite Care.
In lieu of flowers, please make donations to the 100th Bomb Group (www.100thbg.com).
Please view and sign Bob’s online memorial at www.englishfuneralchapel.com.