Earl F. (Pete) Jenkins died Monday August 3, 2009 in Lincoln, Nebraska. Born in Tilden, NE, raised in Blair, NE. Music graduate of the University of Nebraska, 1942. World War II naval officer, followed by U.S. Naval Reserve, achieving the rank of Captain. Taught in Bloomfield and Columbus, NE before beginning his thirty-three years at the University of Nebraska, teaching voice and directing the University Singers and choruses.
He received many awards and honors including the Cornell Runestad Lifetime Service to Choral Music in 2005 and the Doc Elliott Award in 2002, presented by the Nebraska Alumni Association. He was inducted into the Nebraska Music Educators’ Hall of Fame in 1995. He received the University’s Distinguished Teaching Award in 1978 and University Builders’ Awards in 1975 and 1977.
He is survived by his wife Janet, daughter Susan (Steve Herndon), son Bob (Deb), daughter Mary (Vaughn Fritts), and son Jim (Kathy), eleven grandchildren, brother Warren C. (Joan) Jenkins and a number of former students and hosts of friends.
Private Family Services
A celebration of his life will be held October 15, 2009 at 7:30 p.m. with the University Singers in Concert at Kimball Recital Hall on the University campus.
The Earl “Pete” Jenkins Endowment Fund as been established in support of the University School of Music choral program. Contributions should be sent the the University of Nebraska Foundation, 1010 Lincoln Mall, Suite 300, Lincoln, NE 68508, and should be designated for the Jenkins Fund..