Donald "Don" Turner

Born in Richmond, California in 1937, Donald "Don" Turner received his bachelor and doctorate degrees in geology from the University of California, Berkeley, and was a professor of geology at the Geophysical Institute at the University of Alaska Fairbanks from 1970 to 1988. His research and teaching focused on geology and geochronology. He built and ran the Geophysical Institute's first geochronology lab, and his research included summers in remote Alaskan locations with hot springs and the study of oceanic plates under the Cook Islands. After retiring at age 51, Don was able to enjoy his various hobbies and passions, including travel, art, yoga, bluegrass music, photography, cycling, skiing, hunting, and fishing. In 2000, he participated in the afternoon storytelling session at the 50th Anniversary Celebration of the Geophysical Institute at the University of Alaska Fairbanks and shared some of his memories of working there in the early years. Don Turner passed away in 2014.