Arthur Davis Turman's Obituary
Arthur (Art) Davis Turman died on July 10, 2023 after a life filled with love and laughter, family and friends, service to others, and many happy adventures.
Art was born to Arthur & Virginia Turman in Burlingame, California on November 24, 1931. After his brother John was born, the family moved to Taft, California. Art’s father worked for Standard Oil and the family lived in “a company house in a company town.” His cousin, Margaret, also lived in Taft and attended the same school. Art's lifelong interest in astronomy was sparked when he and his father built their own telescope to better see the clear desert night skies. He became an Eagle Scout and graduated from Taft High School in 1949.
Art attended Whittier College in California, where he entertained his friends with practical jokes and pranks (one legendary escapade involved releasing a flock of ducks into a women's dormitory.) In 1953 he met local Whittier girl and fellow student Genevieve White, and they married on March 23, 1956.
Art graduated with a BA in Chemistry, followed by a teaching certificate and MA in Education. He taught chemistry at Norwalk High School and also taught astronomy at a community college. After many years in the classroom, he found a new calling as a high school counselor. He loved the time spent working with students, advising and encouraging hundreds of teens on their college and career plans. In later years he served as a high school administrator.
Art and Gen lived in Whittier where they raised three children (or creatures, as he called them): Dana, Richard, and Wendy. The family spent weeks each year camping and hiking in national and state parks throughout the west, with Yosemite as a favorite destination. Art shared with his children the wonders of the stars and stories of the constellations, using the telescope he had built as a youth. In his spare time, he created a beautiful garden full of roses, gardenias, and hibiscus as well as vegetables and fruits (his children grew up thinking lemons grow on trees, not in grocery stores).
The family also enjoyed their small motorboat, and Art especially loved teaching family, friends, and dozens of Boy Scouts how to waterski. He served as Scoutmaster to a Boy Scout troop and led the troop on numerous boating and backpacking trips. The family was active in East Whittier United Methodist Church, where Art served on committees and enjoyed time with their many church friends.
After retiring, Art spent several years teaching AARP safe driving classes. He enthusiastically embraced his new identity as “Granddaddy/Grandpa” when his first grandchild, Larkin, was born, followed soon after by Avery, Austin, and Jamie. Art and Gen kept busy with new travel adventures throughout the U.S. and Europe, and each grandchild remembers their own special trip with their grandparents on an intergenerational Elderhostel.
Art and Gen moved to Annapolis in 2000. He and Gen became active members of Calvary United Methodist Church and made new friends at Heritage Harbour. Art soon started a new career as a guide for Watermark Tours in Annapolis. Dressed in period costume, he led walking tours of the historic downtown to school children and adults. He loved learning the history needed for a good tour, and he felt especially lucky when he got to lead a “Lighthouse Keeper’s Tour” on boat rides around the Bay.
Art & Gen moved to Ginger Cove in 2015, where he was active in various committees and received the Volunteer of the Year award. He was especially delighted when his cousin Margaret moved from California to Ginger Cove. After patiently isolating during the pandemic, Art was thrilled to have the whole family gather in-person for his 90th birthday celebration at Ginger Cove in 2021.
Art is survived by his beloved wife Gen and children Dana Turman (Dana Flanders-Turman), Richard Turman (Maureen), Wendy Turman (Jonathan Smith); grandchildren Larkin Turman, Avery Turman, Austin Turman, Jamie Smith; brother John D. Turman; cousin Margaret Johnson; brother-in-law and sister-in-law Lloyd & Virginia White; nieces and nephews Jill Turman, Alex Turman, Sandra White, Paul White, and Russ White.
A memorial service will be held at 10:00 AM on July 22 at Ginger Cove.
Donations in Art's memory may be made to the Ginger Cove Foundation Employee Scholarship Fund, 4000 River Crescent Drive, Annapolis, MD 21401
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