Roger Jenkins

Roger Jenkins, Anchorage, a former Alaska legislator and fighter for conservatives, passed away June 18, 2020 at Providence Hospital in Anchorage after complications from a previous surgery.

Private memorial services will be held a later date.

Jenkins was born January 17, 1941 in Staples to Leslie and Mayme (Hunter) Jenkins. He was raised there and graduated from Staples High School in 1959, earned a bachelor of science degree in history and geology from the University of Minnesota and a master of science in geography from the University of North Dakota. He decided his future was in the “last frontier” of Alaska and he traveled north with a longtime friend.

Roger was a high school science and math instructor, construction iron worker and carpentry laborer, University of Alaska Geology and Geography instructor, City of Anchorage engineering administrator and a consulting mineral geologist. 

He was active in the Alaska Geological Sociey, Association of American Geographers, Moose Lodge No. 1434, Jaycees, Toastmasters and a member of the Iditarod Dogsled Race Committee from 1989-2002. He was a member of the Alaska Republican Party’s State Central Committee and precincts and worked as a campaign consultant and ran for House again in 2002.

He was an avid follower of all things about sports teams, had yearly passes for local games and had special spectator seats that he occupied on a regular basis.

Jenkins served a two-year term from 1985-1986 as a Representative during the Fourteenth State Legislatures. He was inspired by the trust of the Anchorage District 11-A voters he represented. As a minority member of the Legislature, he didn’t get his first choice on committee assignments, but served on the House Resources Committee, State Affairs Committee and the Special Committee on Fisheries. During his campaign he managed to unseat the incumbent representative from Spenard and recapture his mentor, Sen. Mitch Abood’s House Seat back to the Republicans.

In honor of former state Representative Jenkins, Alaska Governor Dunleavy  ordered the Alaska State flag to fly at half-staff from sunrise to sunset on July 7, 2020.

Roger is survived by one sister, Rita Jensen of Duluth and one brother, Russ  Jenkins of Staples, as well as his close friend, David Garrison.

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