Remembering Richard Crawford Turner
Richard Crawford Turner passed away in his sleep at home in Eagle River, WI on March 27, 2021 at age 90.
He was born in Bronxville, NY on May 16, 1930 to Richard D. Turner and Winifred (Merriam) Turner. The eldest of three children, Dick, as he became known, grew up in New York and in New England, going to high school in Brewster, NY. He served in the Korean War with the Army Air Corps, later U.S. Air Force, as an air traffic controller serving in Okinawa, S. Korea, and in Tokyo, Japan. Returning home and assigned to Andrews Air Force Base, he married high school friend Constance Gabriel in Washington, DC. The first in his family to attend college, he studied at Wheaton College in Wheaton, IL. Dick graduated with a B.A. in Bible (1956) and an M.A. in New Testament theology (1959). He worked various jobs to support his family and enjoyed serving as a substitute, then full-time, teacher. In the Wheaton-Warrenville School District, Dick taught all grades from first through eighth grade, later becoming a school principal. During this time he obtained his Ed.D (Education Doctorate) from Northern Illinois University. He subsequently became a professor and Chairman of the Education Department at Wheaton College. He was actively involved in the Wheaton Bible Church and later LaSalle Street Church in Chicago, particularly in biblical education, missions work, educational outreach to poorer communities in Chicago, and international student ministries. He travelled to Latin America several times to help protect Protestant pastors from state-sponsored persecution.
He served as the Director of Outdoor Education for nearly 20 years at Wheaton College's Northwoods Campus at Honey Rock Camp near Three Lakes, WI. Upon his retirement Dick moved with Connie from Wheaton to Eagle River, WI and lived in the area for 25 years. He enjoyed outdoor activities in the area as well as traveled throughout the United States and internationally. Dick enjoyed music and played the autoharp and the gut bucket. He loved many types of ethnic foods, in particular sushi. He was active in the St. Germain Wildlife Club and in the Three Lakes Evangelical Free Church. Dick was a member of Three Lakes American Legion Post 431. He spent many years directing the Three Lakes Christian Food Pantry.
Dick is survived by his spouse, Connie Turner; daughter, Nancy Dassoff (Dennis), daughter, Susy Masih, and son, Jim Turner (Deborah); grandchildren, Kyle Dassoff, Alanna Dassoff, Dhiraj Masih-Théberge (Nicole), Himmat Masih, Zarina LaCroix (Michael), Abigail Turner; and great granddaughter, Siachen Masih.
Donations or memorials in Dick's honor can be sent to the Three Lakes Christian Food Pantry, POB 125, Three Lakes, WI 54562-0125.