Dr. II Obituary (1913 - 2002)

AUGUSTA ? Dr. Fennell Parrish Turner II, 88, of Auburn, formerly of Augusta, physician and surgeon, beloved husband, father, grandfather and great-grandfather died Tuesday, April 23, 2002. With family by his side, he passed away with peace and dignity after a brief battle with pneumonia. He will be sadly missed by family and friends. Dr. Turner was born Oct. 27, 1913, in the Borough of Manhattan, New York City, the son of John Pickett Turner, Ph.d., and Anna Maria (Zemke) Turner. His father was professor emeritus of philosophy and psychology, associated with Vanderbilt University, Columbia University, City College of New York and Brooklyn College. His mother was a concert pianist and piano instructor in New York City. Dr. Turner's family history goes back to the early pioneers of Virginia and Tennessee, many descendants serving in the Revolutionary and Civil wars. Fennell was educated at the Horace Mann School of New York and graduated in the class of 1931. Fennell went on to graduate from Vanderbilt University in Tennessee with a bachelor's degree in chemistry, class of 1935. He received his doctor of medicine degree from Vanderbilt University, class of 1938. Fennell was a member of Sigma Chi and Phi Beta Kappa and a member of the football and swim teams. Dr. Turner took his internships at Royal Victoria Hospital of McGill University, Montreal, Canada, in surgery and pathology from 1938-1940. In 1941 he completed one year of residency in medicine and neurology at Royal Victoria Hospital. He studied under Dr. W. Penfield of the Montreal Neurological Institute and Dr. Whipple of Columbia Presbyterian. Dr. Turner completed his residency in surgery at Columbia-Presbyterian Hospital of New York in 1940-1941 and 1946-1949. Dr. Turner was a veteran of World War II with a reserve officer's commission, and served with distinction as a major in the Army Medical Corps 1941-1946. Fennell was chief of laboratory and pathology services with the 10th Station Hospital and 112th General Hospital stationed in England and Northern Ireland. While stationed overseas, Fennell met his beloved wife of 55 years, Vera Alice (Thompson) Turner, formerly of Clinton, Ind. Vera was a registered nurse and a first lieutenant in the Army Nurse Corps. Fennell and Vera were married June 7, 1943, at Malone Presbyterian Church of Belfast, Northern Ireland. After World War II Fennell worked at the Army Institute of Pathology at the Army Medical Museum, Washington, D.C., before completing his residency at Presbyterian Hospital. In 1951, Dr. Turner moved his family from Shanks Village, N.Y., to Togus, Maine, when he transferred to become chief of surgery at the Veterans Administration Hospital. With dedication, he served as chief of Surgical services 1952-1982, being one of the first Board Certified surgeons in central Maine, inducted into the American Board of Surgery in 1951, and the American Medical Association in 1949. Dr. Turner became a Fellow of the American College of Surgeons in 1952. He received many medical recognition awards from the AMA. He was an honorary member in the Allen O. Whipple Surgical Society and the John Hones Surgical Society of Columbia Presbyterian Hospital. In 1975, Dr. Turner became a senior member of the New England Surgical Society. He was a member of the Kennebec Valley Medical Association and the Maine Medical Association. Dr. Turner was an instructor and active mentor for the Maine-Dartmouth Physician training program, helping in the training of many surgical residents. He was a member of the medical staff of Maine Medical Center of Portland. Dr. Turner published many articles for the Journal of the American Medical Association and the New England Surgical Society during his career. Fennell retired in 1982 after 36 years of service to the U.S. government. He was awarded the Congressional Appreciation Award. Upon retirement, Fennell received the Disabled American Veterans Award for more than 30 years of service. From the Maine Medical Association, Dr. Turner received recognition of 50 years of service as a physician. Dr. Turner cared deeply about the health care of veterans. He will be remembered for his dedication and passion for his lifelong interest in medicine and the sciences. After his retirement in 1982, Fennell and Vera moved to Manchester, where Fennell enjoyed reading, flower gardening, genealogy, golf and skiing. He was a loving caregiver for his wife, Vera, and enjoyed time spent with his grandchildren. Fennell enjoyed golf and belonged to the Augusta Country Club for more than 50 years. Fennell was a member of South Parish Congregational Church. Dr. Turner had a great love of Maine and the beauty of nature and wildlife. He was a past member of the Abnaki Ski and Outing Club of Augusta and enjoyed hiking, skiing and swimming with family and friends. Fennell and Vera enjoyed their cottage on Damariscotta Lake for more than 40 years. 'Doc' Turner resided for the last three years at the Schooner Retirement Community of Auburn. He lived in peace at Schooner and always enjoyed the beauty of nature and the company of his family and friends, while continuing his lifelong love of books and music. To all who knew him, Fennell was a source of knowledge, strength, inspiration and compassion. He seemed to defy old age, remaining large in spirit. For his love of family and dedication to his profession, Dr. Turner will be sadly missed. Fennell was predeceased by his wife of 55 years, Vera Alice (Thompson) Turner, on Nov. 24, 1998; a sister, Catherine P. Fort of Falmouth, Mass., in 1970, and a brother, Thomas B. Turner of Vero Beach, Fla., in 2002. Survivors include his son, William F. Turner and his wife, Celeste, of Chelsea; a daughter, Margaret T. Schuler and her husband, Kenneth, of Buckfield; four grandchildren, Laura P. Schuler Hagedorn and her husband, Bill, of Washington, D.C., Camille V. Goodwin and her husband, Rob, of Brunswick, Benjamin W. Turner of Augusta and Adam F. Turner of Portland; two great-grandchildren, Weston F. Goodwin and Eliza F Goodwin; a brother, John Pickett Turner, 90, of Juno Beach, Fla.; many nieces, nephews, cousins and friends, Tom Turner Jr., Hank Turner, Carolyn Bouton, John P. Turner III, C. Parrish Warner, Franklin W. Fort and John Fort. A memorial service will be held for family and friends at 1 p.m. Saturday, April 27 at South Parish Congregational Church, Augusta, with the Rev. John Zehring officiating. Burial will be at the Maine Veterans' Memorial Cemetery in Augusta. Arrangements are in the care of Knowlton & Hewins Funeral Home, Augusta. In lieu of flowers, donations in Memorium to Dr. Turner may be sent to the charity of one's choice.