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David Turner Obituary
Passed away on June 18, 2024 at the age of 64.
Predeceased by his parents Barbara & Fred Turner.
He is survived by his sisters, Susan (Mark) McConnell & Terri (Dan) Bragg; many nieces, nephews and cousins.
Services will be held at the convenience of the family.
Contributions may be made to: Humane Society of Greater Rochester, Lollypop Farm
To share a memory of David or leave a special message for his family, please click the Share Memories button above.
To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.
Patricia BNordin Pappas
June 28, 2024
I remember working with David at Fairchild, not sure if he started soon after I did, but he was a fabulous photographer, meticulous, a perfectionist, professional, and always reached for his best . I am so sad to hear of his passing, but his photographs will live forever.
Chris Kumiega
June 27, 2024
First meeting David in the "very" early 80´s through happenstance as a new New Yorker he shared and guided the good, gifted, ugly and raw city, which truly contributed to who I grew into. Forever in my thoughts David with his soft voice and on the edge demeanor will live...
Cindy Howard Thomas
June 27, 2024
My deepest condolences to David´s family and all who loved him. David was a classmate from high school He led the orchestra for many shows and performances. David was kind, funny, extremely talented and gifted in many ways. I had the pleasure of dining with him and another friend at the last class reunion he attended. David is one in a million. He will be missed.
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Amanda Meadus
June 26, 2024
So deeply sorry to learn of David's passing. We were colleagues at WWD and I gained so much knowledge about the art of fashion photography from working with him - knowledge I continue to appreciate to this day. His work in fashion photography was among the most beautiful I ever have ever or ever will see.
Christye Sisson
June 26, 2024
David was a beloved colleague, teacher, and friend. He was a remarkable classroom teacher and mentor, inspiring students to achieve more than they thought possible. David was a kind, generous, gentle human who gave himself to his students.
In a conversation with him just a few weeks ago, David told me that teaching had been his greatest privilege. He shared a story from when he was a student, and a faculty mentor went out of his way to help him overcome some serious challenges. When David thanked him for his kindness, that faculty member asked him not to thank him but to do the same for other students someday and pay it forward. He said teaching was his calling and called it his life´s work. This legacy lives on, as does his philosophy of kindness, humility, generosity, and gratitude.
My deepest condolences to his family, friends, and loved ones.
Jessica Joyce
June 25, 2024
David has been my sponsor in 12 step recovery programs for the past 7 years. He is by far one of the best men and people I have ever met. We share a common love for photography and I doubt I would have the career I do today if it weren´t for him. David has touched my life and I will be missing him. I give my condolences to his friends and family.
Love,
Jessica J.
Figo Wang
June 24, 2024
David´s teachings were truly special and they will be held dearly. The most humble and selfless individual who has done monumental work for all of us, I can´t thank you enough. You inspired so many talented artists and one day your teachings will be passed on by us to another. Your legacy will be with us in our hearts, rest easy David.
Nesreen Baki
June 24, 2024
the legacy will live on truly for DT!! man im struck. I love you soooo much DT!
Paradise is only a little thing that got the right fit for you! The Gift is in us. I will always remember us and our memories.... may you always be watching over us and your family !!! all the love. only with love. I love you DT!
Susan Turner McConnell
June 22, 2024
Thank you all for the most beautiful memories and kindest words about my brother. While it has been difficult reading these, it has also started the healing process on all of our hearts
We will always have questions, and even regrets, regarding David´s passing. I think we all can agree that in honor of him, we can continue living making this world more kind and helping others.
Your memories will fold beautifully into ours , which will be cherished forever. Thank you, again
Pete Schuck
June 21, 2024
David, or DT as we called him at RIT was truly an amazing professor. nobody encouraged me like he did, nobody was as proud of me as he was, and nobody acknowledged my effort the same way he did. he will be missed by so many at RIT and accross the nation i imagine. DT will always be my drive.
Vivian Bresnitz
June 21, 2024
I can´t do better than everyone else´s beautiful posts already included here, but I will repeat that he was a gentle & kind teacher and a wonderful human. I´m very sad that he´s gone, even if if I haven´t seen him in person in years. RIP David.
Luke Solby
June 20, 2024
David Turner was one of the best professors, mentors, and friends i´ve ever could´ve asked for while at rit so far. he was such a light and inspiration to me, and i will strive to continue to make him proud. i think i had him at the best time possible as a professor, as being 20 has been a time of change and growth for me, and david was there every step along the way. he used to tell me that i always exceeded his expectations in his class, and i really hope i can still do that without him here cheering me on. i will truly miss seeing him on campus and talking to him about anything and everything. he never failed to make me smile and brighten my day no matter what. i miss you and will forever miss you david.
marcello
June 20, 2024
David, I fondly remember the days of working together at Hearst, cooking hamburgers on the porch, and talking about model rocketry.
Thinking about that apartment you had downtown NYC still makes me laugh. I fondly remember the time we spent organizing your images there. Wearing gloves so not to get fingerprints on the negatives, only to realize it was a terrible idea. In an apartment with no air conditioning on the hottest day of the summer our hands were full of sweat.
That was the same place you heard the rattle in the kitchen cabinet... and upon investigating the noise a bat flew out directly at you.
I´ll never forget that waffle place you found in Massachusetts and the cheeseburgers you masterfully grilled at your house.
You were always giving and generous of your time with me.
Thank you for being a great friend David. You are missed.
Marcello
Caroline Robbins
June 20, 2024
David Turner was someone who made everyone in his life feel important and cared for. When my mom passed away just before classes started in January of this year, I came to him unsure of how to move forward in his class and unsure of how to function. In response, he would sit with me and tell me about his own mom and we´d both laugh and cry about how weird grief is. He pushed me to live my life fully and to challenge myself as an artist, while also making sure I knew he was there to catch me if I fell. As I read the rest of these stories and the outpouring of love on social media, I realize every single person in his life felt deeply connected to him - students, coworkers, family, and friends. He was truly a friend to everyone he met, and I am forever grateful for how he helped me when I needed it most.
Porter Counts
June 20, 2024
David was the most inspirational professor I ever had. I never once considered commercial or fashion photography as a career. But meeting him and him sharing his love and passion and the creativity involved showed me a world I had to be a part of. Fifteen years later, I´m well down that path and I wouldn´t be here without David. His gentleness and quiet demeanor is still in the forefront of my mind every shoot I have, and are how I want my sets to feel.
Thank you for everything and thank you for being who you were. I´ll love you forever.
Porter
Nanette Salvaggio
June 20, 2024
While heaven has gain a gem, we have lost an incredible man, with a heart of gold, the willingness to share all the knowledge he had, an amazing instructor who students loved and Magazine Mondays with those amazing cookies. He brought students together and was the most caring man I have even know.
Elianne
June 19, 2024
How much he cared for his students, his advice and kindness was always something I looked forward to whenever I saw him. every time he had a conversation with him, he never failed to make you smile even on your worst days
Sabrina Gavino
June 19, 2024
My favorite memory of DT is taking pictures with him and Kyle Etzler on a slightly rainy, overcast morning at the airfield near Hallmark. I still have one DT dollar that I will cherish even more now. My heartfelt condolences go all his family and friends during this time
Regan Wagner
June 19, 2024
Regan Wagner
June 19, 2024
When I was just out of college, I was working two jobs, as a barista and at a local magazine. I first met David as his barista. It stood out how he always went out of his way to be kind to me, say hello, and show genuine curiosity and care about my life. Learning about his incredible career as a photographer and then photography professor, I eventually humbly asked him if he´d be interested in joining us for a few photo shoots here and there with the magazine. David was delighted to be a part of our team. He was endlessly creative, funny, and truly excited about what we were doing. He was a lifelong learner, and when taking courses and writing papers he gave it his best effort at all times, getting stressed about doing his very best and having good grades because he cared deeply about everything he did. I´ll never forget David, and will think of him often.
Jari Poulin
June 19, 2024
I am so very sorry to hear this and my heart goes out to David's family and friends. He will be sorely missed by so many. Always generous and gave everything to his students. He once told be that once someone is a student of his he is available to them always on their path forward. And that is true. He was an example of grace and true love of the craft and teaching. Rest in Peace.
Elizabeth Lamark
June 19, 2024
this is my last photo of DT, always happy, always in the middle of a conversation, always a beacon of light!
Pat, Bobby, and Lisa Sampson
June 19, 2024
I am so very sorry for the loss of your beloved brother. I know he was cherished.
Virginia Nash
June 19, 2024
David was an incredible person and professor. He touched so many students. My own photography was forever shaped through his teaching in his Still Life class and Production Photography. He brought light and incredible knowledge to his classes. It was an honor to be taught by him. His kindness and love of art will be remembered. Rest in peace David.
Marissa Zarriello
June 19, 2024
DT cultivated the exceptional. His presence was felt deeply among his students and we all wanted to share his energy.
Kind, caring, and always expressed truth with a forward nature and contagious smile. He instilled hope, and fostered brilliance. He was one of the few teachers to extend himself beyond graduation. Thank you for your guidance, and warmth DT. Sending love to the family he now looks over. A true angel.
Hannah Bolliger
June 19, 2024
Hannah Bolliger
June 19, 2024
Hannah Bolliger
June 19, 2024
I will always remember David´s homemade cookies in class and the stories that he would tell us. He truly cared about his students and was invested in watching each and every one of us grow in our craft. He will be missed greatly.
Therese Mulligan
June 19, 2024
I was fortunate to have David as my officemate in the Photo School at RIT. Memories of his generous conversations with students while reviewing work, his "Magazine Mondays" with students and our own conversations about this or that flood over me. I was privileged to know David, knowing all of us in the Photo School were blessed by his friendship and kind support.
My deepest sympathy to his family, friends and all who were fortunate indeed to know him.
Sho-ann Hung
June 19, 2024
David was an exceptional, WONDERFUL individual. He unfailingly assisted my mother into and out of car during her continual illness. David´s kindness and generosity will be greatly missed.
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