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BORN
1923
DIED
2015
David Turner Obituary
Sept. 23, 1923 - June 26, 2015
Formerly of Oakland & Piedmont
David "Dave" Lindsay Turner, 91, passed away on June 26, 2015 in Jacksonville, FL. Born in Oakland, CA in 1923 to Scottish immigrants, he and his brother Ian G. Turner attended their early school years in Edinburgh, Scotland and graduated from Piedmont High, CA.
Enlisting as a Naval Aviator during World War II, he interrupted his studies at the University of California, Berkeley until after the war. While finishing at Cal, he and his brother Ian both went on to win Olympic Gold Medals for Rowing as part of the Cal Crew 8 at the 1948 London Games. He was a dedicated athlete all his life.
Dave returned to the Navy in 1952 and served in Korea and Vietnam. As a Naval officer, he and his family were stationed throughout the US until he retired from the Navy in 1969 as Lt Commander. Dave joined NOAA based out of Miami, FL as a civilian hurricane pilot adding another 22 years of flight time before retiring in 1993. He holds the record for the most flights into hurricanes by any pilot in the world.
He was predeceased by his first wife, Dorothy Easson Turner, Oakland CA, his second wife Inez Brown Turner, Ocala FL, and his brother Ian G Turner, Piedmont CA. He is survived by his daughters Eleanore (Wayne) Hewitt, Encinitas CA and Polly (Mike) Casey, Orange Park FL, and grandsons David Hewitt, Robert Hewitt., Stephen Casey and Matthew Casey. He is also survived by his sister-in-law Dee Dee Turner, Piedmont CA, nephew Bruce Turner, Piedmont CA and his niece Nancy Newman, OR.
David Turner will receive a Navy burial at sea with full Military honors at a later date. You will be dearly missed.
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Memories and Condolences
for David Turner
Sponsored by East Bay Times.
Robert Black
June 27, 2023
I will always cherish my memories of Dave, the finest pilot I ever had the pleasure to fly with. He was always the consummate gentleman as well.
Bill Adams
January 4, 2016
I flew as navigator with Dave in the 70s. Of all of the hurricane pilots he was my favorite. He never talked about his Olympic accomplishment but we all knew about it. What a guy, fun, and very professional . Loved to hear him talk. Wow how time passes.
Polly Casey
July 8, 2015
Reading such wonderful tributes and shared memories has lifted my heart. You lived your life to the fullest and enjoyed every minute of it. To me you are the best Father a girl could ever have had and it was my honor to share you with the world.
Love forever
Polly
Mark Powell
July 8, 2015
As a young scientist somewhat concerned about flying into a hurricane, I was always put at ease when Dave briefed everybody about what we were going to do that day and how things were going to be done during the mission. I always felt safe and confident about getting back with him aboard. I was in awe of of the fact that he was also an Olympian and Gold medalist... something he was too modest to mention. Fond memories of a great person.
Turner, Sandquist and Hatch during RFF days
Kristy Wheless
July 8, 2015
Dave Turner, always a perfect gentleman and I was lucky to have met him when I came onboard in NOAA in Miami. I am sure Dave was a great mentor to many a pilot. You will be missed Dave by all of us that have crossed your path. We were the lucky ones!
July 8, 2015
Dave is now flying among the angels and, no doubt, G-d filed his flight plan. As many others have said, Dave was a super pilot, leader and gentleman. I'm happy and proud to have had our paths cross on the ground and in the skies. Rest in peace, my friend.
- Howie Friedman, Hollywood, Florida
Peter Black
July 8, 2015
Dave was indeed the consummate gentleman and the finest pilot I had the privilege of flying with in 50 seasons of hurricane flights. I will always remember his contended smile as he flew his last hurricane penetration off the west coast of Mexico into a beautiful setting sun.
James Franklin
July 8, 2015
I have many fond memories of flying with Dave into hurricanes with NOAA early in my career. What a remarkable man and pilot he was.
Jim Roles
July 8, 2015
Dave will be sorely missed. He was a great pilot, always calm like the eye of a hurricane, into which he safely took us so many times.
Bon Sheets
July 8, 2015
I spent many an hour in hurricanes with Dave - often just behind him in the cockpit in the P-3's. Indeed, he was everything those have mentioned. I remember in our trips to Puerto Rico that he would go into the water and swim out of sight! He had a lap pool built into his home in Kings Bay and would spend hours swimming there. Always in top shape. It was a pleasure and joy working with Dave.
Bob Sheets - Lake Placid, FL
Jack Parrish
July 8, 2015
When tackling the world's toughest weather, Dave was the guy you wanted in the left seat. And at dinner after the mission, no one made a finer messmate at the head of the table. Farewell, Commander Turner.
Hugh Willoughby
July 8, 2015
Dave was a superb pilot, and admired colleague, and a good friend. The world is a much less interesting place without him.
Dave with Bob Burpee
Frank Marks
July 8, 2015
Robert Black
July 8, 2015
Dave was the finest, most gentlemanly pilot I ever met. I flew with him on many hurricane missions, and was always impressed with his skill and demeanor both on the job and off. There is no one like him, and probably never will be.
James McFaddem
July 8, 2015
Dave enriched our lives and will always be remembered. He was the consummate gentleman and a trusted and close friend.
Michael Henderson
July 8, 2015
I had the pleasure of flying a number of storms with Dave when we were based out of Miami International in the late 80s. I enjoyed his retelling of his Olympic exploits and of his memories of Scotland. A very articulate fellow, Dave was never at a loss for words, and he enjoyed "holding court" with some of his stories. Dave, keep the wings level and the bottom side down. Sympathies to the family, Michael Henderson, Commander, NOAA (Ret.) and P-3 Navigator; Tampa Florida
NOAA
Polly Casey
July 6, 2015
NOAA
Polly Casey
July 6, 2015
NAVY Years
Polly Casey
July 6, 2015
NOAA
Polly Casey
July 6, 2015
USA Cal Crew Team London
Polly Casey
July 6, 2015
Receiving Gold Medals
Polly Casey
July 6, 2015
David and Ian Turner
Polly Casey
July 6, 2015
NOAA
Polly Casey
July 6, 2015
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