Richard Jenkins

This month, Richard Erik Jenkins died peacefully surrounded by his family.

"Rick" was born in 1946 in Newport News, VA to the late Willard Erette Jenkins and Ina Porter Jenkins. Originally from Concord, NC, he graduated from Concord High School, later earning two degrees from NC State University (B.S., M.E.) and a law degree (J.D.) from UNC at Chapel Hill.

Following law school, Rick worked in private and corporate patent law practices in Washington, DC, Charlotte, and Greensboro before opening his own patent law firm in Durham in 1984. In the early days of his firm, Rick was aided only by a part-time secretary. By 2009, when Rick retired, his firm had become one of the largest patent law firms in the Carolinas. Aside from diligence and hard work, Rick built his firm through the power of his personality, forming warm personal relationships with many of his clients and colleagues. He co-founded the Carolinas Patent, Trademark and Copyright Law Association in 1978, and over the years mentored many young patent attorneys. Periodically, Rick taught a course on patent law as an Adjunct Lecturer at Duke University Law School.

Rick was a long-time member of The Durham Rotary Club and the Hope Valley Country Club. At one time or another, he served on the Board of Trustees of both North Carolina Central University and Peace College. He served Duke University Medical Center on its Board of Visitors and was a former Board Member of the NC State Foundation, as well as the Center for Entrepreneurial Development in RTP.

In spite of a long battle with Parkinson’s Disease after his retirement, Rick enjoyed traveling with his wife, dividing his time between Durham and his much-loved Blowing Rock. He kept his mind alert through classes at Duke University’s Osher Lifelong Learning Institute and NC State. Rick’s greatest joy was being with his friends and family.

Rick was a long-time member of Westminster Presbyterian Church in Durham. After his move to the Brier Creek area, he and his wife became members of nearby North Raleigh Presbyterian Church. He was also active in a lively Bible Study at Carolina Arbors.

Rick is survived by his beloved wife and best friend, Lise Jenkins, and his beloved daughter Anna Thurston Jenkins of Durham. He is also survived by his sister Ina Kay Hammill and her husband Mike of Ormond Beach, FL; his niece Kristy Duncan and her husband Tom and their three children Wagner, Wesley, and Ina Rae of Cornelius, NC; his in-laws Glenn and Marjorie Weavers of Sun City, AZ; and his former wife Susan Thurston Sember of Salisbury, NC.

The family is grateful for the compassionate care of Duke Home Hospice.

A celebration of life will be held on Friday, August 27, 2021 at 10:00 am at Calvary Lutheran Church in Concord, NC, with burial to follow at Carolina Memorial Park. A reception will follow the service.

In lieu of flowers please consider a gift to North Raleigh Presbyterian Church, 11905 Strickland Ave, Raleigh, NC 27613.