- Frederic Magill Jenkins, 86, of Savoy, IL, passed away at 7:05 A.M., Thursday, March 10, 2016 at Heartland Health Care Center in Champaign.

There will be no public services. Renner-Wikoff Chapel, 1900 S. Philo Rd., Urbana, is assisting the family with arrangements.

Fred was born January 28, 1930 in Oakland, CA, a son of Francis and Henrietta (Smith) Jenkins. He married Shirley Howson on October 20, 1956 in California. She survives. Also surviving is a daughter, Nancy Bauer(Knut) of Urbana, IL, 3 step-grandsons, 3 step-great grandchildren and a brother, Edward Jenkins(Myrna) of Princeton, NJ.

He was preceded in death by his parents, a daughter, Diane, and a brother, Tommy. Fred served his country in the United States Army during the Korean Conflict. He graduated from the University of California, Berkeley and received his Ph.D. from the University of California-San Diego. He was a Professor of French at the University of Illinois for over 33 years. Fred lived a long and active life. He was an avid bicyclist, who along with his daughters Diane and Nancy, participated in the 1976 Bicentennial Ride Across America, which led to the formation of the Adventure Cycling Association. He also enjoyed tennis, badminton, and growing pine trees from seedlings in his back yard. He was the secretary of the American Association of Teachers of French for many years, and made many trips to France with his wife, Shirley.

Memorials may be made to the Kickapoo Rail Trail at www.kickapoorailtrail.org. Condolences may be offered at www.renner-wikoffchapel.com.