Quiet, mild mannered and reserved. That’s the initial perception of Rick Jenkins. But he thinks otherwise. “I’m very outgoing, impulsive and emotional – you need to watch me while watching the Broncos.”Born in Cincinnati, Ohio, Jenkins was only two-and-a-half-years old when his father was killed in a car accident. “He was a World War II veteran,” Jenkins said. “And shortly after returning home, he was driving home from work [when the accident happened.]”Jenkins’ mother, a schoolteacher, raised him and his younger brother. “Mother never remarried. She said she would never find anyone like him,” he said.After Jenkins father died, the family moved back to where his mother grew up – Ohio’s South Bass Island, which sits in the middle of Lake Erie.As a twice-retired history teacher, Jenkins took an interest in his roots on the island. “The history teacher in me wants me to tell you that it is the site of the Battle of Erie in the War of 1812,” said Jenkins. “That’s its historic claim-to-fame.”Jenkins and his family lived on the island until he was 12 years old, when they moved to Port Clinton, Ohio. “We moved to ‘the mainland’ because the schools were better and there were more opportunities,” he said. Jenkins said he inherited his family home and still returns for summer vacations.After graduating from high school, Jenkins attended Miami University in Oxford, Ohio, where he obtained a bachelor’s degree in political science in 1966. While attending the university, he met a Medina, Ohio, native, Judi Booth.While attending Miami University, Rick and Judi were both involved in a fraternity and sorority. Jenkins recalled many times when his fraternity participated in the same activities as Judi’s sorority. “One of my fraternity brothers had a date with Judi, and I met her at a fraternity party,” he said. Rick said his fraternity brother and Judi had only dated once or twice when Rick revealed an interest. “I mentioned at dinner one time, ‘I think she is really cute.'” His fraternity brother encouraged Rick. They married in 1968.In 1970, Jenkins received his law degree from the University of Toledo. The couple lived in Ohio for the next few years, and, in 1973, they decided to move to Colorado. The Jenkins felt their job skills would be applicable anywhere, so they based their move on one of their favorite interests – the outdoors. “We love to bike and hike and do things,” he said. “And Ohio isn’t conducive. It’s either hot and wet or cold and wet.”The two sat down with a map and chose half-a-dozen places to visit. “This is the place that offered us everything, including jobs.” Jenkins said he remembers the days when Colorado Springs was a lot smaller. “I’m not sure it would make the cut today, as big as it’s gotten.” Judi Jenkins secured a job immediately as a microbiologist.Meanwhile, Rick Jenkins was trying to decide which career he wanted to pursue. Despite a law degree, Jenkins felt a calling in another area. “I got out of law school after having to work my way through law school by teaching,” he said. “By the time I had taken my law degree in ’70, I had also gone back to school and achieved the course work to be certified as a teacher.”He had job offers in both areas in Colorado. Jenkins said he thought about it “long and hard,” but decided he preferred teaching over practicing law. “Made my decision to stay in education and have been delighted with my choice ever since.”The school year was already under way when the Jenkins moved to Colorado, so Rick said he “filled in the gaps” by selling insurance for a short time, before applying to school districts for teaching jobs. He has only recently retired (the second time) from his first teaching job at Calhan High School. Jenkins, after 27 years, originally retired in 2001 but returned to fill in for woman who was on maternity leave. He stayed for another year, before retiring for good in 2002. Jenkins still substitutes in Calhan.In addition to substituting, he teaches law at Blair College twice a week. “One of my colleagues at Calhan, who eventually became my boss, went back to work as the registrar at Blair College,” he said. “We would get together every once in a while and he would say, ‘We have a law program over there. How about teaching some law?’ I finally said, ‘OK.'” That was three and a half years ago. Jenkins said he just couldn’t get enough of the classroom atmosphere. “It give me good mental stimulation and forces me to keep current with the law,” he said.Jenkins and his wife enjoy downhill skiing and traveling. They have one daughter, Colleen, as well as a 15-year-old pet llama called Como se llama. [Note: Llama in Spanish is pronounced ya-mah. In Spanish, the entire phrase means: What is your name?]More on Rick JenkinsWhat are you reading?I read a lot of law books. But I just finished “Jefferson’s Greatest Gamble.” It’s about the negotiations between the U.S. and France and what would eventually become the Louisiana Purchase.If you could change anything about Falcon, what would you change?It’s a trade off really. The convenience of things within walking distance is wonderful, but the one thing I would change is road improvement. These rural two-lane roads were not designed to handle traffic, and they are dangerous.If you could change one aspect of your life, what would you change?I have no regrets. I have had one of the most remarkably fortunate lives I can imagine anyone ever having. I’ve had a wonderful family; an incredibly rewarding career. All the toys anyone could want. All the opportunities anyone could ever want.Name one person you admire?Top of the list? I’ve got quite a number of people, historic figures and even a few pop culture type folks, but the one person I would put at the top of my list is my wife. She is very quiet and calm. She helps me rub down the rough edges. She puts up with a lot, because I’ll get a crazy idea once in a while.
