Steven Ira Jenkins, 71

Steven Ira Jenkins of Rathdrum, Idaho, passed away at the age of 71 on Jan. 12, 2022 at Schneidmiller Hospice House, with his wife Robin holding his hand.

Steve was born Oct. 12, 1950, in Idaho Falls. After graduating from Idaho Falls High School in 1969, Steve started his career at Argonne National Laboratory outside of Idaho Falls, working there as a nuclear power control operator and senior engineering tech. He completed the University of Chicago’s rigorous three-and-a-half-year nuclear power plant operator training program at the Argonne National Laboratory and obtained training and certification in boiling water reactor management and nuclear operator qualification.

Over the next twenty-plus years, he worked as a test reactor operator at Argonne National Laboratory and as a power plant equipment operator, senior training specialist, and training program coordinator at Washington Public Power Supply System in Richland, Wash. In 1998 he took a year off to operate his own landscape and lawn care business, but it wasn’t long before he went back to work at the power plants he loved. Over the next few years, he worked as a journeyman power plant operator at Grand Coulee Dam and at Hoover Dam in Nevada. In early 2005 he took a position as Shift Operator/Control Center Operator at Albeni Falls Dam in Oldtown, Idaho. He retired in 2013.

As proud as he was of his work, he was even prouder of his children and grandchildren. They were always his first priority, and he spent all of his vacation and free time with them. He took them all over the Pacific Northwest and the Mountain West, from Yellowstone, the Grand Tetons, and Mt. Rainier to the San Juan Islands, Victoria, B.C., and the Olympic Peninsula.

When his kids were little, Steve told them fairy tales, but he always changed them up: Little Red Riding Hood became Little Green Riding Hood and Cinderella went to a pool party instead of a ball. The kids would laugh and laugh, correcting him and hearing his new versions over and over. Every fall Steve took them school clothes shopping and every spring he bought them windbreakers and kites and they would all go fly kites together. They went to the rodeo every summer and he decked them out in full-on cowboy gear—boots, hats, and everything. He loved spending time with his grandchildren, and when asked by one what his name was, Steve answered, “George.” The name stuck and he was forever known as “Grandpa George.”

Steve loved the outdoors, especially Yellowstone National Park. He liked to visit historical sites and visiting and learning about different dams. He enjoyed listening to music and going to concerts. The Boss, Bruce Springsteen, was an all-time favorite. Dogs were close companions throughout his life. His dog Talula was very special and brought him years of joy. They traveled everywhere together, took many long walks and hikes, played by the hour, and enjoyed each other’s company in the evenings.

Steve achieved a lifelong dream when he was able to buy 20 acres on the Bear Paw north of Priest River. He loved working on the property, tinkering away on tractors and other equipment. Not long after, he met Robin, in whom he found a partner in life. The two were married in June, 2006 in Coeur d’Alene. With Robin’s horses Carmen and later Cim, along with the two red angus steers (named “Lunch” and "Dinner") they raised, Steve was living his dream. Steve and Robin enjoyed working side-by-side on the Bear Paw and loved walking for hours there and in the beautiful forests in the Priest Lake area.

Steve was a kind soul and a generous man. From his family and his career to his animals and the great outdoors, Steve loved and was loved.

Steve is survived by his wife Robin, his children Rebecca “Becky” Edwards, Rob (Robin) Jenkins, Dan (Kirsten) Jenkins, his stepchildren Jessie (Craig) Dugas and Christopher (Mary) Robinson, eight grandchildren, and one great-grandchild. His beloved cat, Squeaky, died just two weeks after Steve passed away. They were inseparable.

A graveside memorial will be held at Riverview Cemetery in Coeur d’Alene on May 21 at 2 p.m.