David Jenkins was true hero in the community

My first memory of David Jenkins was at Sandpoint West Athletic Club, it left me a bit envious. Here was a person facing dramatic physical challenges, who displayed such fearless emotional strength, confidence and compassion, it initiated a self-evaluation of my own life. It was not long before my envy turned to inspiration.

If a person’s measure can be qualified by the depth and sincerity of their heart and soul; what I found in David Jenkins was the heart and soul of a true hero.

David was someone I admired and respected. I attempted to glean as many of his qualities as possible, while oftentimes falling short. Despite my deficiencies, without question, David showed me how to be a better person.

His body has been taken from us, but the strength and courage of his heart and soul live on in the people wise enough to know how special a person David Jenkins was.

David and I shared a common history, rugby. I would have been honored to have shared the same colors on the rugby pitch with David. A loose ruck occurs in a rugby match when a player is tackled or the ball becomes “loose.” It takes commitment and courage; the ruck must be entered with reckless abandon to be effective. It is a measure of the extent a person is willing to give to his teammates. There will be a time when I will close my eyes, we will be on a rugby pitch, I will be thinking of binding up with David, entering into a ruck; low, hard and with abandon because I know that is how David lived his life for others.

“With you, Jenks, on your right.”

JIM LIPPI

Sandpoint