Obituary: David Alan Jenkins, 1935-2024 (2024)

TheHonorable David Alan Jenkins, 89, of Burlington, Vt., passed awaypeacefully on May 29, 2024, surrounded by his loving wife and twodaughters.

Davidwas born in Springfield, Mass., on February 6, 1935, the youngest offour children, to Edward Sampson and Ruth (MacLeod) Jenkins. Thefamily moved to Burlington, Vt., in 1939 to a house which Davidcalled home for more than 80 years. Many experiences helped shape theman who contributed much to our state and community. Two principlesaligned throughout his life: service above self and a strongChristian faith.

Astudent of Taft Elementary School, David was a member of the sixthgrade class that received a generous gift, an original paintingtitled “The Babysitter,” from the American painter NormanRockwell in memory of a fellow classmate who had died. Decades later,David took an active role in retaining the painting for the communitywhen the school district proposed selling it. The painting nowresides permanently at the University of Vermont Fleming Museum.

BoyScouts provided an important compass in David’s boyhood, and he wasthankful for many opportunities through scouting that strengthenedhis character and established a strong sense of leadership.

AtBurlington High School, David was a notable athlete in football,basketball, and track and field. He was proud to have playedquarterback for the Seahorses under the guidance of coach Buck Hardand was one of the “five iron men” who helped the varsitybasketball team claim the 1953 Vermont State High School Championshiptrophy. That team went on to win the quarterfinal round of the NewEngland State Championship tournament played at the Boston Garden,one of two Vermont teams to ever do so.

Acceptanceto Dartmouth College opened many doors for David, and he remainedvery proud and inspired by the experiences the Big Green D provided.He played freshman basketball, sang in the glee club, joined SigmaAlpha Epsilon fraternity and chose to study history because hebelieved that “unless we know history, we are doomed to repeat it.”He graduated in the Dartmouth class of 1957 and fulfilled hismilitary scholarship commitment by serving in the U.S. Coast GuardReserve, where he sharpened his leadership skills and discovered aninterest in maritime law.

Davidmet Susan Merritt Killebrew on a blind date. They married in June1962 and lived in Hartford, Conn., while he pursued his law degree atthe University of Connecticut Law School. To accomplish this, heworked full time for Southern New England Telephone Company by dayand attended law school by night. He completed his degree in 1965 andwas admitted to the Connecticut Bar Association that same year.

In1966 David brought his young family back to Burlington, was admittedto the Vermont Bar Association and began to establish his career. Hequickly became partner of the law firm Hoff, Curtis, Bryan, Quinn andJenkins. He was elected by the Burlington community as alderman andcity counselor for Ward 6 from 1970 to 1972. He was appointed as thefirst full-time Burlington city attorney in 1972, working with mayorsFrancis Cain and Gordon Paquette. After practicing law for 14 years,David was appointed by Gov. Richard Snelling as a District Courtjudge in 1979 and as a Superior Court judge in 1981, where most ofhis work was presiding over criminal and civil trials. He was one ofnine Superior Court judges who traveled in rotation to the 14counties across the state. These appointments were a point of pridefor David, and he appreciated the opportunity to travel the entirestate and serve each community. He retired from the bench in 2005 andcontinued to serve from time to time for another five years.

Davidtirelessly volunteered throughout his life. Some of his manyendeavors included Sunrise Rotary (2007 to 2024), Burlington firecommissioner, public member of the Vermont Medical Practice Board(2008 to 2019), Meals on Wheels driver for Chittenden County, andserving as a deacon and trustee for his church. David was a lifelongmember of the First Congregational Church and raised his familyhonoring and living the traditions of his faith. Also, he was aninspirational lifelong learner and an active member of the GrandLodge of Vermont Free and Accepted Masons, attaining the ScottishRite 32nd degree with the Vermont Consistory.

Davidwas passionate about sports, including tennis, Alpine and Nordicskiing, hiking, and fishing. He was very proud of his Scottishdescent and the rich heritage of the Clan MacLeod. He often donned ashirt, slacks or scarf of the clan’s dress or hunting tartan,always exclaiming the motto “Hold Fast MacLeod!” He enjoyedstrong and enduring friendships with school classmates, colleaguesand friends throughout his life. Many were lifelong, and they oftengathered to reminisce about youthful capers and life’s challengesand successes. These friendships were important touchstones to him.He had many happy memories of high school and college reunions andannual fishing trips to Maine with a steadfast group of friends.

Davidis survived by his loving wife of nearly 62 years; daughters, Lisa(Beckner) Bryan and Heather (Sam) Jewell; four grandchildren, Merrittand Lucien Bryan and Benjamin and Elizabeth Jewell; and many niecesand nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents and hissiblings, Joan Zwick, Ruth Elizabeth (Betty) Maley and Dr. Edward W.Jenkins.

Inlieu of flowers, a donation can be dedicated in David’s name to theUnited Church of Christor to Meals on Wheelsthrough Age Well.

Acelebration of life will take place on June 29, 2024, 11 a.m., at theCharlotte Congregational Church, 403 Church Hill Rd., Charlotte, VT05445.