Don L. Jenkins, 89, a life-long resident of Whittier, California, passed away peacefully on Friday, December 10, 2021.  Don was born January 12, 1932, at Murphy Hospital in Whittier, California.  Don attended both Whittier High School and Whittier College where he met his wife of 62 years, Barbara Van Arsdall, in the college choir.  Don majored in Biology and was an active member of the Lancer Society and served as Senior Class President.  After graduation, Don began a 37-year career in education teaching Biology at Santa Fe High School in Whittier.  In 1964, Don was appointed as the Biology Department Chair at the newly opened Rio Hondo Community College where he designed the biology facilities and developed the biology curriculum.  In 1975, Don accepted the position of Assistant Superintendent and Vice President of Academic Affairs of Rio Hondo where he implemented many programs to advance the quality of education provided by the college. After retirement, Don served as a Trustee on the Board of Rio Hondo Community College District and was elected to the California Community College Trustees Board of Directors.

Don's parents, Helen and Mark Jenkins were long time Whittier residents and instilled in him the love for the community of Whittier. Throughout his life, Don was a committed and active member of the Whittier YMCA.  He first became a member in 1940 at the Y located on Washington Ave.  He attended many camp sessions at Camp Arbolado where he served as a camp counselor, lifeguard, and maintenance man during his high school years.  In 1959, Don began participating in the Y's Men's work weekend at Camp Arbolado, which he continued to do for the next 50 years.  Don joined the Y's Men's Club in 1960 and had over 50 years of perfect attendance.  During his tenure with the Y's Men's Club, he was active in Board leadership and committees and chaired most at one time or another.  Don was honored as Y's Man of the Year in 1965 and again in 1994.

After retirement, Don started volunteering at Presbyterian Intercommunity Hospital of Whittier where he participated in the Therapy Dog program for over 20 years.  With his 3 beloved therapy dogs, Ginny, Daisy and Jazzy, Don logged more than 3,000 visits to patients.  Don was a firm believer that the use of therapy dogs in the medical field was vital to the emotional and physical well-being of all.  He often preached, to whomever would listen, the medical science proving the interaction of petting a dog and the stimulation of positive emotional states by the release of oxytocin.

Don was a man of many passions. He was an avid bicyclist who competed in cycle racing well into his eighties.  Don won several medals, including gold, at the Huntsman Senior Games in Utah.  He also went on many touring cycling trips, the last being a ride through the Black Hills of South Dakota with his son and son-in-law.  Don's stamina and ability to tackle the hills and heat at the age of 83 made him a celebrity with the touring group!  Don loved SCUBA diving and shared this passion with all his children, their spouses, and many grandchildren.  He was also a wine connoisseur and with 2 friends, made many batches of award-winning wine under the label of The Three Amigos.

In 2001, Don and Barb were awarded one of the highest community recognitions by receiving the Good Scout award.  Don and Barb enjoyed an active life traveling and riding bicycles throughout the US and Europe.  One of Don's greatest joys was being able to provide family vacations and reunions for his ever- growing family in places such as the Cayman Islands, Lake of the Ozarks, Colorado, and Minnesota.  Being together as a family was the most important thing for Don and he was the root of the Jenkins family tree.  Don was preceded in death by Barb on December 15, 2015.  He is survived by his sister, Marilyn Scott (Leo), three children; Debbie Jenkins Wyckoff (Jeff), Larry Jenkins (Amy), Kathy Jenkins Perkins (Mark), his six grandchildren; Stephanie Schaefer (David), Chris Wyckoff, Lindsay Perkins, Melanie Muniz (Brian), Lauren Jenkins (B Torres), Nick Jenkins (Iris Nawiesniak); his 7 great-grandchildren, Kalin, Riley and Eli Schaefer, Joey and Tyler Gulo, Cedar Jenkins and Louisa Muniz; his nephew, Leo Scott (Ro), and his niece Luisa Scott (Jeremy).  At this time, a memorial service has not been planned.  Donations in Don's name can be made to the Barbara V. and Don L. Jenkins Endowed Scholarship at Whittier College.