Robert Turnbull

Robert B. Turnbull VIRGINIA BEACH - The Rev. Robert B. Turnbull, 88, passed peacefully into the presence of his Lord June 22, 2009, in Sentara Virginia Beach General Hospital. Mr. Turnbull was born May 29, 1921, in San Bernardino, Calif., the son of the late Robert Bruce Turnbull and Marietta Diamond Turnbull. He graduated from San Bernardino High School and attended Chaffey Jr. College in Ontario for two years and transferred to Vanguard University (formerly Southern California Bible College, Pasadena, Calif.) where he graduated in 1943 with a B.A. in Bible. Mr. Turnbull was ordained in 1943 with the Assemblies of God. He received his M.A. in Missiology from the Assemblies of God Theological Seminary. He traveled in evangelistic work with his uncle, Dr. John Turnbull. He met and married Arleta J. Alderman Aug. 19, 1944, and entered the full-time pastoral ministry in Palm Springs, Calif. His pastoral ministry continued for the next five years, at which time the couple entered foreign missionary service in Haiti, Dominican Republic, and Christian education work in Latin America. This work continued for 30 years. He returned to Vanguard University as professor of missions, anthropology and evangelism. In 1978, he took a position at CBN, in Virginia Beach in the division of international ministries and served for 12 years. He retired from CBN but continued to minister in numerous state side and international venues. In his ministries, he became fluent in French, Spanish and Haitian Creole. His family dearly loves him and will miss him. He is survived by his wife, Arleta J. Turnbull; a daughter, the Rev. Cheryl E. Vincent; three sons, Dr. Robert B. Turnbull, Richard D. Turnbull, BSEE, and the Rev. Stanley M. Turnbull; two brothers, the Rev. William D. Turnbull and the Rev. Wayne C. Turnbull; two daughters-in-law, Charlotte I. Turnbull, RN, and the Rev. Cheryl Y. Turnbull; a son-in-law, Dr. Joel A. Vincent; 10 grandchildren and one great-grandchild, Gracie. A funeral will be conducted Friday at 11 a.m. in Virginia Beach Community Chapel by the Rev. Stanley M. Turnbull. The family will receive friends Thursday from 5 to 7 p.m. at H.D. Oliver Funeral Apts., Laskin Road Chapel. www.hdoliver.com.