Gregory Turk

1951 - 2015

Gregory Chester Turk, 63, of Frederick, Maryland died on February 10 at Frederick Memorial Hospital with his family by his side. He was the husband of Katherine Piellusch Turk to whom he was married for 42 years. Born in Elizabeth, New Jersey on November 16, 1951, he was the son of the late Chester F. Turk and Teresa Pikula Turk.

Greg was raised in the tight-knit, predominately Polish Bayway section of Elizabeth, where he attended St. Adalbert's Elementary School. He graduated from Thomas Jefferson High School, Elizabeth, in 1969.

While Greg was a student at Rutgers College in New Brunswick he met his wife Kathy at a dance. According to Kathy, their eyes met across a crowded dance floor and it was love at first sight. He graduated in 1973 with a BA in Chemistry.

Greg continued his chemistry studies in graduate school at the University of Maryland at College Park and in 1978 he was awarded his Ph.D. in Chemistry. Upon completing his doctorate, he embarked on a long career as a Research Chemist at the National Institute of Science and Technology (formerly the National Bureau of Standards) in Gaithersburg, Maryland where he worked from 1976 until his retirement this past May. Greg specialized in the field of analytical spectroscopy. He authored numerous scientific papers and co-edited a book titled, Laser Enhanced Ionization Spectroscopy (Chemical Analysis: A Series of Monographs of Analytical Chemistry and its Applications). Over the years Greg traveled through Europe, Asia, and South America for his work and he always enjoyed being a part of the international scientific community. Of particular note was a sabbatical year in 1985/86 where Greg worked at the Centro Comune di Riccerca in the town of Ispra in northern Italy. Greg and his family were able to spend a memorable year enjoying Italian culture and, especially, food.

Greg always enjoyed the outdoors and often went hiking and camping with his family. He particularly enjoyed rambling along the C & O Canal, local sections of Appalachian Trail and the trails in the Frederick Watershed. One of his favorite camping spots was Assateague Island on the Eastern shore. Greg lived in Frederick's Historic District for the past 20 years and loved the charm and walkability of downtown living. He was a long time member of St John the Evangelist Catholic Church. Greg's most recent hobbies were fermenting sauerkraut, kapusta and baking bread. He enjoyed sharing the fruits of his labors with family and friends as he tried to create the perfect loaf of bread.

Greg was a proud father of three daughters and he delighted in becoming a grandfather in 2008. As a grandfather he was known for his silly songs and ability to soothe fussy babies. He will be sorely missed by his surviving family. He was dad to Carolyn Turk West and son-in-law David West of Essex Junction , VT, Elizabeth Turk Setton and son-in-law Ishai Setton of Glendale, CA, and Judith Katherine Turk and son-in-law Shahriar Uddin of Galloway, NJ. He was grandpa to Aurora West, Selena West, Margot Setton, Leo Setton, and a soon to be born grandson. He was big brother to Karen O'Holla (and brother-in-law Joseph O'Holla) and Sharon Nutter (and brother-in-law Robert Nutter). He was Uncle Greg or as he was affectionately known "UG" to five nieces, Sarah O'Holla, Rachel O'Holla, Emily O'Holla Zelinka, Julia Nutter, and Abagail Nutter.

The family will receive relatives and friends from 2 to 4 and 6 to 8 p.m., on Monday, February 16, 2015 at the Keeney and Basford Funeral Home, 106 East Church Street, Frederick. Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 11 a.m., on Tuesday, February 17, 2015, from Saint John the Evangelist Roman Catholic Church, 118 East Second Street, Frederick. Interment will be in the St. John's Cemetery, Frederick.

Those desiring may make contributions to the St. Vincent de Paul Society, 112 East Second Street, Frederick, MD 21701 or the National Brain Tumor Society.