Bernard Yenkin

Bernard K. Yenkin, a devoted husband, father, grandfather, and brother who led many initiatives to promote the vitality of the Columbus Jewish community, died peacefully at his Bexley home Sunday at age 95.

He is survived by his wife Miriam, who was his close and beloved partner in all aspects of their lives through 69 years of marriage. Additionally, he is survived by his sister Linda Yenkin, his daughter and son-in-law Leslie Yenkin and Jonathan Petuchowski; son and daughter-in-law Jonathan Yenkin and Suki Fisher; daughter and son-in-law Allison and Anatoly Katsev; daughter and son-in-law Amy Yenkin and Rob Usdan; and grandchildren Abbe Petuchowski, Max and Alex Yenkin, Lenny and Buzz Katsev, and Cole and Dora Usdan. He was preceded in death by his late sister Sandra Levine, brother-in-law Herbert Levine, and sister-in-law Dixie Carlisle. He was also a cherished uncle, cousin, and friend to those in his broad family and the many circles of people who knew him.

Born in 1930 to the late Abe I. and Eleanore Yenkin, Bernie graduated from Yale University and Harvard Business School before joining his father and grandfather, Jacob Yenkin, and uncles working at the family paint manufacturing business, Yenkin-Majestic Paint Corp. He worked there his entire career, serving as president and CEO and continuing as chairman into his 80s.

From a young age, he took on responsibilities and demonstrated caring for his community and family - attributes he exemplified his entire life. He was chairman of the Young Men’s Division of the Columbus Jewish Federation, and later he became the Federation’s chairman, board president of the Columbus Torah Academy, and board chairman of Agudas Achim Synagogue. He and Miriam together received the Columbus Mayor’s Award for Voluntary Service.

His devotion to the Jewish community extended beyond Columbus. When he and Miriam learned about the development of Israel’s first private non-profit independent research university in Herziliya, then called the Interdisciplinary Center and now named Reichman University, they arranged to donate land in Herzilya that his father Abe had purchased in the 1920s. The university honored the donation by naming a portion of its land the Yenkin Campus.

Bernie, who loved classical music, was on the founding board of the ProMusica Chamber Orchestra of Columbus - an organization he and Miriam have enthusiastically supported throughout its decades of performances.

In all that he did, Bernie never sought accolades or credit. He was doing these things out of his care and love.

Beyond all these activities, Bernie is remembered for his zest for life and his love of family. He took great joy in family gatherings, whether in Bexley, Telluride, Colo., family reunions, or travels abroad. He showed great curiosity in whatever his children or grandchildren were doing and showered them with love. He was a skier into his 80s, and he was an avid traveler, reader, wine connoisseur, food lover, and fan of movies. He and Miriam attended the Telluride Film Festival every year for nearly 40 years.

A funeral will be held 1 p.m. Wednesday, Oct. 21, at Agudas Achim Synagogue, 2767 E Broad, Columbus.

A shiva will be observed at the Yenkin home on Wednesday from 4-6 p.m. with a minyan service at 5 p.m. Shiva continues on Thursday, Oct. 22, from 4-7 p.m. with a minyan at 6 p.m., and Friday from 8-10 a.m. with a minyan at 8 a.m.

Donations can be made to ProMusica (www.promusicacolumbus.org) and Columbus Jewish Historical Society (www.columbusjewishhistory.org) or organizations promoting Jewish education.