Robert Bruce Turkington - Memorial Song Tribute
Robert Bruce Turkington - July 13,
2015 to May 21, 1923
Longtime Homer, Alaska, resident
Robert B. Turkington, 92, died on Monday, July 13, 2015, at home with family by his side.
Memorial services will be held at 3 p.m. on Friday, July 31, 2015, at the
Homer Elks Lodge, 215 W
Jenny Lane. Honorary Pallbearers are Sean Presley,
Daniel Presley,
Scott Turkington,
Ryan Turkington,
Matt Turkington,
Vladimir Martushev,
Jason Huffman and Braden Huffman. Robert Turkington was born on May 21, 1923, to
Milton and
Clara Turkington in
Manchester,
Conn. He graduated from
Manchester High School and then went on to honorably serve in active
Federal Service in the
Army of the United States of
America as a pilot from
1944 to 1946. Bob and his wife,
Carolyn, made their trek to
Alaska in April of 1949. They and three other men left Manchester, Conn., on April 11, 1949, to drive the
Alcan Highway in two 1929
Model A Fords towing two springless trailers. The trip took them 25 days and Bob and Carolyn celebrated their first anniversary while on the road. The young couple spent their first winter in a Wanigan at 8 mile outside of Homer and the next spring they moved into Homer. They were blessed with their first child,
Alan, and a short 11 months later their son,
Bruce. Two years later their only daughter,
Gail, was born. Robert, known as Bob
Turk, was a man of many talents and had a strong determination to make a go of "
Life in the
Last Frontier." Bob wore many work hats as he built his life in Homer, while raising and supporting his family. Bob was self employed in Construction,
Commercial Fishing, Farming and
Land Development. In the early
1950s, he worked for the first
Taxi Cab business in Homer and later acquired the business. This enterprise led Bob to install the first phone system in Homer, enabling customers to call for a cab. The phone system consisted of army field phones strung through the trees, about 30 phones in all.
Moose strolling through created frequent problems. Bob also had the school bus contract for 20 years for the Homer area. Through the years Bob was an active participant in the Homer community, as part of the
HEA Board of Directors, Homer Elks Lodge,
American Legion and as a
Volunteer Firefighter. He received numerous awards for participation and volunteering in the Homer area schools supporting the youth. When he wasn't working he loved hunting, farming, playing cards and he was an avid Ice
Racer in car #77. His example of hard work, serving his community, giving back and love of family was instilled in his three children and they continue to follow his example. He never put off for tomorrow what could be done today. Bob's greatest joy was his family. He always had time for his grandchildren and was always forgiving of mistakes and accidents. Bob got to watch his 10 grandchildren grow up and was enjoying his 14 great-grandchildren and loved having them all visit. The grandchildren have many fond memories of their
Grandpa Turkington. During the last few months of his life he stated numerous times how happy he was with his family and the adults that his children had become, how hard they worked and how good they were to him. He truly felt so blessed and the truth is
... we are the blessed ones: having the
Father, Grandpa, friend which he was to all of us. He will be deeply missed.
Love you Dad! A special thanks to the women of the
American Legion Auxiliary, you took such good care of Bob each day with snacks and a warm welcome. Bob looked forward to those afternoon outings and fellowship. It meant so much to him having his name on that stool! He was preceded in death by his wife of 62 years, Carolyn; his parents, Milton and Clara; stepfather,
John Wallett; and four brothers,
Milt, Roy, Alan and
Philip. Bob is survived by his brother,
Steve Turkington of
Tucson, Ariz.; sons and daughters-in-law, Alan and
Joyce Turkington of Homer and Bruce and
Debbie Turkington of Homer; daughter and son in-law, Gail and
Danny Presley of
Happy Valley,; granddaughters, Joy and Jason Huffman of Homer, Treva Turkington
Huff of
San Diego, Calif., Ashlie Turkington
Bishop of
Seattle, Wash.,
Kristin Presley of Happy Valley, and
Mala and Vladimir Martushev of
Wasilla, Alaska; grandsons,
Scott and Hester Turkington of Homer, Matt Turkington of
Phoenix, Ariz., Ryan Turkington and
Larissa Norgren of Homer, Sean and
Leah Presley of
Ninilchik, Alaska, and Daniel and Randi Presley of
Soldotna, Alaska; and 14 great-grandchildren.
http://www.legacy.com/obituaries/adn/obituary
.aspx?n=robert-turkington&pid;=175328366
Song Sung By His
Grandson Matthew Turkington
Video Composed By His Grandson Scott Turkington
Special thanks to
Eric Cheng for the use of his
Northern Lights Clip
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zdosKWW2YZ0