RAYMOND TURNER

1933 - 2021

TURNER--Dr. Raymond William. Born February 9, 1933 and died June 12, 2021. Devoted husband for 57 years to Dr. Maria Lourdes Chanco Turner. Ray was born and raised in Bed-Stuy Brooklyn and broke boundaries, graduating from Amherst College, Yale School of Medicine and Johns Hopkins School of Public Health. After two years with the Atomic Bomb Casualty Commission in Hiroshima, Japan, caring for victims and studying effects of radiation, he distinguished himself as a physician and healthcare executive in Washington, DC. Ray dedicated his career to removing barriers to quality health care. Early on, he served at Group Health Association, a pioneering patient-owned health care cooperative, Medical Vice President of Greater Southeast Community Hospital, and ulti-mately became CMO of CareFirst BlueCross BlueShield. Ray actively participated in medical education at Johns Hopkins and George Washington, mentoring students even in retirement. Ray was predeceased by his beloved brother Dr. Clyde W. Turner and brother-in-law Dr. Vann Kinkle Jones. Brother to Judy and brother-in-law to Irene; devoted father to Dr. Melissa Turner (Dr. Eric De Jonge) and Nicholas (Theresa Trzaskoma); proud grandfather to Maya, Nathaniel, Wiley, and Malcolm; adoring uncle to his nieces and nephews and their families; loyal friend to many. His legacy will continue through numerous lives he touched. A lifelong learner, Ray was a member of the Cosmos Club and an avid reader. He loved classical music, ikebana (Japanese flower arranging), and traveling the world. His interests were broad and deep: history, politics, food, design, music, and art. We will miss his twinkling eyes, mischievous smile, quick wit, sense of style, and jellybean stash. A memorial will be planned for the fall. Donations in Ray's memory may be made to the Turner Fellowship Fund at the Yale School of Medicine (designation number 15826) or the Vera Institute of Justice.