Ross Turner

1946 - 2025

Ross Turner, beloved husband, father, grandfather, educator, and founder of the Catalina Island Marine Institute (CIMI), passed away on October 9, 2025 from a sudden cardiac arrest in Dana Point, California. He was 79. His passing was sudden and peaceful - just as he would have wanted - leaving behind a legacy that will continue to inspire for generations to come.
Ross was born in Temple City, California to Bob and Nel (Donaldson)Turner on June 18, 1946. He entered the world much as those who knew him best remember him – with tireless energy, an unshakeable curiosity for the natural world and a boundless sense of adventure. He hated nothing more than to be stuck inside. This led to a love of sports, especially football, and scouting, where he earned his Eagle Scout Award. He graduated from Temple City High School in 1964.
In 1968, Ross graduated from Brigham Young University (BYU), where he played on the Varsity Football and Rugby teams. He met the love of his life, Kristi (Dietz), near the end of his time in college and they were married on August 24, 1968.
In his early career, Ross was a high school science teacher and football coach in Orange County. As a teacher, Ross believed in learning by doing and he started a class that took students on overnight science and adventure trips to the Channel Islands. In 1976, with his wife Kristi, he transitioned his experiences with this class into founding the Catalina Island Marine Institute (CIMI) at Cherry Cove on Catalina Island.
With CIMI, and its parent company Guided Discoveries, Ross & Kristi were pioneers in Outdoor Education. His belief in learning through discovery and his passion for making a difference led Guided Discoveries to flourish and expand – encompassing multiple CIMI programs on Catalina Island (at Toyon Bay and Fox Landing), Astro Camp and Tall Ship Expeditions. Now in its 45th year, Guided Discoveries has educated over 1.5 Million young people in its programs.
Ross loved Catalina Island and took joy in sharing its wonders – CIMI brought over 1 Million Children to the Island over its five decades.
Ross cared about and believed in people and liked nothing more than to see people succeed. He was full of energy, ideas, humor and compassion and had a rare gift for helping others see their own potential – whether that be staff, campers, friends, colleagues or his own family. This legacy will be carried on by the young explorers and staff that have participated in Guided Discoveries programs.
Ross is survived by his wife of 57 years, Kristi; his brother Bob; his three children Stephanie, Doug and Craig and his 6 grandchildren Sage, Jack, Scarlett, Isla, Raven & Charlie, along with their families and extended loved ones.
A Memorial and Celebration of Life will be held at the Crown Valley Community Center, 25301 Alicia Parkway, Laguna Hills, CA 92653 on Sunday, November 2, 2025 at 2:00pm. All are welcome to attend.