Obituary: Donald Chase Jenkins

Class Notes
Class of 1955
Posted on January 2, 2020

Donald Chase Jenkins, a longtime resident of Bronxville, NY, passed away on December 16, 2019 after a short illness.

Donald grew up in Schenectady, NY, one of four sons of William and Pearl Hathaway Jenkins. He attended Albany Academy and graduated from Deerfield in 1955, where he captained the varsity basketball team. He then graduated from Amherst College, where he majored in history, and attended business school at the University of Hartford. Donald spent most of his career as a financial analyst for the investment banker and philanthropist William T. Golden, and later for the investment firm run by Mario Gabelli.

Along with his wife, Carla Donkin Jenkins, a graduate of Smith College whom he married in 1961, Donald raised three sons who attended Bronxville schools and Deerfield: McKay ’81, a professor of environmental studies at the University of Delaware; Brian ’86, a technology businessman in Chapel Hill, NC; and Denny ’88, a general surgeon in Virginia Beach, VA.

A lifelong tennis player, Donald was a prominent member and former president of the Bronxville Field Club. He was also an avid gardener and longtime member of the town’s Working Gardeners Club..

Donald is survived by two brothers; his three sons; seven nieces and nephews; and nine grandchildren.

A memorial service will be held at the Bronxville Field Club on Saturday, January 11 from 6-8 p.m. In lieu of flowers, non-tax deductible donations may be mailed to Working Gardeners, Care of Katherine Elliott, treasurer, 17 Masterton Road, Bronxville, NY 10708.

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What are the benefits of the Alumni Association?

Upon graduating from Deerfield, alumni enter a diverse network of former Deerfield students. Deerfield alumni have ventured into almost every area of employment, and many are at the top of their respective fields. The advantages of this vast network are numerous and significant, as every member of the Deerfield family receives the following:

Automatic subscription to Deerfield Magazine
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Invitations to special events both on and off campus
Eligibility for membership in a number of recognition societies

Alumni are also eligible for alumni awards, such as the Ashley Award, Heritage Award, and the Mimi Morsman Award.

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There are no membership fees or dues for members of the Deerfield family, but Deerfield does ask for assistance in a few areas. First of all, in order for Deerfield to have the most up-to-date records possible, we encourage members to keep us apprised of their current contact info. Alumni are also urged to direct all concerns and suggestions regarding Deerfield’s operations through the Executive Committee, the governing body of the Alumni Association. The committee acts as the voice of the alumni body, and works closely with the school administration. In order to keep tuition affordable and the quality of a Deerfield education at its highest, the Academy depends upon the continuing support of alumni and their families. This support can take the form of annual or capital gifts, or time spent volunteering on behalf of Deerfield.

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alumni@deerfield.edu
413-774-1474

7 Boyden Lane, PO Box 306
Deerfield, MA 01342

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