Farewell to Our Dear Friend, Farish Jenkins

Distinguished Harvard professor, loving husband and father, inspiring teacher, generous friend, renowned researcher and champion of science, Dr. Farish Jenkins was all of these things and more. His passing is a great loss to the many people he touched and inspired over the course of his lifetime.

We came to know Farish through his life-long interest in Tanzania; we were honored to plan nine of his adventures to Tanzania, trips he so ably led for Harvard Museum of Natural History. His 10th Thomson trip had been planned for this coming January.

For those of us who had the privilege to befriend him, work with him or simply observe in awe as he effortlessly held a room enthralled with his incomparable intellect and consummate charm, he will be greatly missed. For his many contributions to science, he will be acknowledged and praised by generations to come. For his inspiration to countless students, fellow scientists, and friends he will be remembered as a masterful and generous mentor. For his charm, grace, kindness and elegance, he set a new standard for the word gentleman.

While we are saddened by this loss, we are also grateful to have known such a brilliant man. And what discussion of Farish Jenkins would be complete without mentioning the hat? No one, but no one, wore a hat like Farish. Here’s to you, Farish! We tip our hats to you!

Our most heartfelt sympathies go out to his beloved wife and family and all those who were privileged to know this truly remarkable man.

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Read Farish Jenkin’s obituary in The Boston Globe

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