TALLAHASSEE, Fla. (WTXL) - The Florida A & M University community is in mourning after the loss of Former Dean and Chemistry Professor, Ralph W. Turner.
FAMU officials report that Turner dedicated nearly 50 years of service to the university and retired as a distinguished chemistry professor in 2016.
He passed away on December 26, while visiting family in Philadelphia.
Turner was 80 years old.
Turner’s tenure at FAMU began in 1967 when he accepted a position with the Department of Chemistry as an associate professor.
He later became a full-time professor, department chair and associate dean of the College of Arts and Sciences. In 2006, Turner was promoted to interim dean of the college and served as dean from 2008 until 2012.
Former FAMU President Frederick S. Humphries, Ph.D., met Turner in 1959 when they both began graduate school at the University of Pittsburgh, where they earned doctoral degrees in chemistry.
“He was an extremely talented man,” said Humphries. “He had tremendous discipline. He worked hard. He had an ability that sustained him when things got tough to stay in there and get a good resolution no matter the issue.”
Family and friends are asked to come celebrate his life at his funeral on Saturday, Jan. 13 at 11 a.m. at St. Paul African Methodist Episcopal Church, located at 839 Cedar Springs Highway in Jakin, Georgia.
A viewing will take place from 9 a.m. to 11 a.m., at the church.
