Herbert "Bert" Jenkins

Herbert Neff “Bert” Jenkins passed away in Louisville in the early morning hours of December 27, 2025, aged 89. He was the son of James Ray Jenkins and Helen Dorothy Nusz. He was predeceased by his older brother, Jay Ray Jenkins. A sixth-generation Etonian, he is survived by his best friend, partner and wife of sixty-seven years, Wilhelmina Milton; by his sister, Dorothy Jenkins Crancer of LaGrange, Texas; by his elder son Greg Jenkins and his partner Sue Keith of Elizabethtown; and by his younger son Kirk Jenkins and his wife Susan of Half Moon Bay, California. Bert is also survived by his grandsons, Zach, Ben (Lindsey) and Will (Emily), and by his great-grandson Theo and great-granddaughter Ellis.

Bert was named All-State Honorable Mention in 1954 as the center of the Elizabethtown High School basketball team. He was co-captain of the Elizabethtown High School football team. He was elected to the Elizabethtown High School Athletic Hall of Fame in 2016. Bert graduated from Elizabethtown High School in 1954 before continuing his studies at the Georgia Institute of Technology, graduating in 1958 with a BS in Building Construction. Bert served his country in the Army Reserves following his graduation from Georgia Tech.

Bert devoted his career to Jenkins-Essex Construction, Inc., the construction company founded by his grandfather, Neff Jenkins. He was Vice President of Jenkins-Essex from 1969 to 1988 and served as President of the company from 1988 through 2001. During his tenure, Bert realigned the company to focus on commercial and corporate structures, as Jenkins-Essex built the St. James Catholic Church, the Pritchard Community Center, and the Hardin County Justice Center, as well as many other notable buildings around central Kentucky.

Bert was appointed to the Board of the Hardin County Industrial Foundation in 1970 and served until 2001. He was Chair of the Board from 1994 to 2001. He was also President of the Elizabethtown Chamber of Commerce and the Elizabethtown Rotary Club.

Bert was an avid golfer for many years and enjoyed playing with his many personal and business friends. He was President of the Elizabethtown Country Club. He transmitted his passion for major league baseball to his sons through their many trips to Crosley Field and later, Riverfront Stadium. Bert was also a dedicated fan of the University of Kentucky basketball team.

Bert and Wilhelmina retired to Fernandina Beach, Florida where they lived for over twenty years. They were longstanding members of St. Peter’s Episcopal Church where Bert was instrumental in the creation of the Charitable Foundation and served as Trustee Emeritus.

A memorial service and celebration of Bert’s life will follow in the spring.