Loving wife of Admiral Richmond K. Turner, U.S. Navy.
On 3 August 1910, Richmond Kelly Turner married Harriet "Hattie" Sterling in Stockton, CA.
During the early years of their marriage, Hattie suffered from a troublesome illness labeled "the colic." Ensign and Lieutenant (jg) Turner's letters to his mother and sister are full of legitimate worry and concern in regard to the health of his wife.
Kelly Turner's love and devotion to his wife continued throughout his life. His wife did not have robust health in either her earlier or her later years. She often commented that "One day, I am alright and the next can hardly move. . . . I always feel alright at night."
For a man whose fury and rage made strong men quake, it is a bit surprising to read in Kelly Turner's letters of his "blessed lamb, " "sweet little girl," and similar expressions.
Those of the Class of 1908 (U.S. Naval Academy) who were on duty together in the USS California in 1922-23 were Lieutenant Commanders Turner, H.F.D. Davis, and Ernest W. McKee. The McKees, Davises, and Turners became intimate friends during their California cruise, and remained so during the many, many years following.
McKee was the last of the California trio alive and Mrs. McKee said the following of Harriet:
"Harriet was a marvelous cook and a great walker. Harriet, when she was young, never wanted to be in a position where she was handicapped physically and that's my guess as to why the Kelly Turner's never had any children.
Harriet also was a great reader. In their last years, she watched over Kelly like a hawk and tried to reduce or eliminate his drinking. She wouldn' t let him keep any liquor in the house, so he hid it in the garden tool house.
Kelly had a green thumb, with everything. He loved to work in his garden, and he worked at the garden like he worked at everything else--furiously. His back hurt him constantly, but still he worked. He wouldn't let anyone pick his New Zealand spinach, which was out of this world, but Harriet spent a lot of effort trying to give away the quantities of other vegetables, fruits and flowers he grew--marvelous apples, wonderful roses; everything. Even the deer used to find the garden at night and eat things up."
Friends and Acquaintances
As far as can be determined, the Turners had many, many acquaintances and admirers, but a limited number of intimate friends. By and large, they were sufficient unto themselves and did not need a large amount of company to keep happy. Admiral Bieri recalled:
"He (Turner) was a man of high character. He and his wife seemed to be devoted and constant companions when he was free of official duties. While they participated in many of the social events current, they spent much time in their home and with their intimate friends. Both were avaricious readers."
The Turner's and Their Dogs
Harriet Turner's interest in life, other than her husband, was her Lhasa dogs. Her letters are full of the never-ending succession of their illnesses and recent progeny. There is no question that she lavished on them the same affection which most women give to their children and grandchildren.
Remarks from Vice Admiral Dyer
At the time this scribe visited Admiral Turner in his home the year before he died, his beloved wife Harriet was in bed much of each day and slowly dying of cancer.
Mrs. Turner told me that there were just two earthly things which her condition justified her wishing for, before she died. One was to live long enough to observe her fiftieth wedding anniversary, and the other was to live long enough to vote for Richard Nixon. The wedding anniversary was observed on 3 August 1960, the vote was cast on 1 November 1960, and Harriet Turner died on 3 January 1961.
Of the funeral occasion, a 1908 classmate wrote:
"Yesterday we saw Kelly for an hour. Though visibly sad, he did not break down, nor would we have expected him to do so. Rugged and tough, a man who never asked for quarter, but frequently gave it, his upper lip was stiff and his courage sublime. And all this with his whole system ridden with arthritis, a steel brace without which I doubt if he could walk. Kelly Turner had these qualities from the first day we knew him."
Kelly Turner's retirement years held no emptiness until his wife died.
Most of the above are excerpts from 'The Amphibians Came to Conquer: The Story of Richmond Kelly Turner' by George C. Dyer, Vice Admiral, USN (RET)
Information compiled by Charles A. Lewis
On 3 August 1910, Richmond Kelly Turner married Harriet "Hattie" Sterling in Stockton, CA.
During the early years of their marriage, Hattie suffered from a troublesome illness labeled "the colic." Ensign and Lieutenant (jg) Turner's letters to his mother and sister are full of legitimate worry and concern in regard to the health of his wife.
Kelly Turner's love and devotion to his wife continued throughout his life. His wife did not have robust health in either her earlier or her later years. She often commented that "One day, I am alright and the next can hardly move. . . . I always feel alright at night."
For a man whose fury and rage made strong men quake, it is a bit surprising to read in Kelly Turner's letters of his "blessed lamb, " "sweet little girl," and similar expressions.
Those of the Class of 1908 (U.S. Naval Academy) who were on duty together in the USS California in 1922-23 were Lieutenant Commanders Turner, H.F.D. Davis, and Ernest W. McKee. The McKees, Davises, and Turners became intimate friends during their California cruise, and remained so during the many, many years following.
McKee was the last of the California trio alive and Mrs. McKee said the following of Harriet:
"Harriet was a marvelous cook and a great walker. Harriet, when she was young, never wanted to be in a position where she was handicapped physically and that's my guess as to why the Kelly Turner's never had any children.
Harriet also was a great reader. In their last years, she watched over Kelly like a hawk and tried to reduce or eliminate his drinking. She wouldn' t let him keep any liquor in the house, so he hid it in the garden tool house.
Kelly had a green thumb, with everything. He loved to work in his garden, and he worked at the garden like he worked at everything else--furiously. His back hurt him constantly, but still he worked. He wouldn't let anyone pick his New Zealand spinach, which was out of this world, but Harriet spent a lot of effort trying to give away the quantities of other vegetables, fruits and flowers he grew--marvelous apples, wonderful roses; everything. Even the deer used to find the garden at night and eat things up."
Friends and Acquaintances
As far as can be determined, the Turners had many, many acquaintances and admirers, but a limited number of intimate friends. By and large, they were sufficient unto themselves and did not need a large amount of company to keep happy. Admiral Bieri recalled:
"He (Turner) was a man of high character. He and his wife seemed to be devoted and constant companions when he was free of official duties. While they participated in many of the social events current, they spent much time in their home and with their intimate friends. Both were avaricious readers."
The Turner's and Their Dogs
Harriet Turner's interest in life, other than her husband, was her Lhasa dogs. Her letters are full of the never-ending succession of their illnesses and recent progeny. There is no question that she lavished on them the same affection which most women give to their children and grandchildren.
Remarks from Vice Admiral Dyer
At the time this scribe visited Admiral Turner in his home the year before he died, his beloved wife Harriet was in bed much of each day and slowly dying of cancer.
Mrs. Turner told me that there were just two earthly things which her condition justified her wishing for, before she died. One was to live long enough to observe her fiftieth wedding anniversary, and the other was to live long enough to vote for Richard Nixon. The wedding anniversary was observed on 3 August 1960, the vote was cast on 1 November 1960, and Harriet Turner died on 3 January 1961.
Of the funeral occasion, a 1908 classmate wrote:
"Yesterday we saw Kelly for an hour. Though visibly sad, he did not break down, nor would we have expected him to do so. Rugged and tough, a man who never asked for quarter, but frequently gave it, his upper lip was stiff and his courage sublime. And all this with his whole system ridden with arthritis, a steel brace without which I doubt if he could walk. Kelly Turner had these qualities from the first day we knew him."
Kelly Turner's retirement years held no emptiness until his wife died.
Most of the above are excerpts from 'The Amphibians Came to Conquer: The Story of Richmond Kelly Turner' by George C. Dyer, Vice Admiral, USN (RET)
Information compiled by Charles A. Lewis
Loving wife of Admiral Richmond K. Turner, U.S. Navy.
On 3 August 1910, Richmond Kelly Turner married Harriet "Hattie" Sterling in Stockton, CA.
During the early years of their marriage, Hattie suffered from a troublesome illness labeled "the colic." Ensign and Lieutenant (jg) Turner's letters to his mother and sister are full of legitimate worry and concern in regard to the health of his wife.
Kelly Turner's love and devotion to his wife continued throughout his life. His wife did not have robust health in either her earlier or her later years. She often commented that "One day, I am alright and the next can hardly move. . . . I always feel alright at night."
For a man whose fury and rage made strong men quake, it is a bit surprising to read in Kelly Turner's letters of his "blessed lamb, " "sweet little girl," and similar expressions.
Those of the Class of 1908 (U.S. Naval Academy) who were on duty together in the USS California in 1922-23 were Lieutenant Commanders Turner, H.F.D. Davis, and Ernest W. McKee. The McKees, Davises, and Turners became intimate friends during their California cruise, and remained so during the many, many years following.
McKee was the last of the California trio alive and Mrs. McKee said the following of Harriet:
"Harriet was a marvelous cook and a great walker. Harriet, when she was young, never wanted to be in a position where she was handicapped physically and that's my guess as to why the Kelly Turner's never had any children.
Harriet also was a great reader. In their last years, she watched over Kelly like a hawk and tried to reduce or eliminate his drinking. She wouldn' t let him keep any liquor in the house, so he hid it in the garden tool house.
Kelly had a green thumb, with everything. He loved to work in his garden, and he worked at the garden like he worked at everything else--furiously. His back hurt him constantly, but still he worked. He wouldn't let anyone pick his New Zealand spinach, which was out of this world, but Harriet spent a lot of effort trying to give away the quantities of other vegetables, fruits and flowers he grew--marvelous apples, wonderful roses; everything. Even the deer used to find the garden at night and eat things up."
Friends and Acquaintances
As far as can be determined, the Turners had many, many acquaintances and admirers, but a limited number of intimate friends. By and large, they were sufficient unto themselves and did not need a large amount of company to keep happy. Admiral Bieri recalled:
"He (Turner) was a man of high character. He and his wife seemed to be devoted and constant companions when he was free of official duties. While they participated in many of the social events current, they spent much time in their home and with their intimate friends. Both were avaricious readers."
The Turner's and Their Dogs
Harriet Turner's interest in life, other than her husband, was her Lhasa dogs. Her letters are full of the never-ending succession of their illnesses and recent progeny. There is no question that she lavished on them the same affection which most women give to their children and grandchildren.
Remarks from Vice Admiral Dyer
At the time this scribe visited Admiral Turner in his home the year before he died, his beloved wife Harriet was in bed much of each day and slowly dying of cancer.
Mrs. Turner told me that there were just two earthly things which her condition justified her wishing for, before she died. One was to live long enough to observe her fiftieth wedding anniversary, and the other was to live long enough to vote for Richard Nixon. The wedding anniversary was observed on 3 August 1960, the vote was cast on 1 November 1960, and Harriet Turner died on 3 January 1961.
Of the funeral occasion, a 1908 classmate wrote:
"Yesterday we saw Kelly for an hour. Though visibly sad, he did not break down, nor would we have expected him to do so. Rugged and tough, a man who never asked for quarter, but frequently gave it, his upper lip was stiff and his courage sublime. And all this with his whole system ridden with arthritis, a steel brace without which I doubt if he could walk. Kelly Turner had these qualities from the first day we knew him."
Kelly Turner's retirement years held no emptiness until his wife died.
Most of the above are excerpts from 'The Amphibians Came to Conquer: The Story of Richmond Kelly Turner' by George C. Dyer, Vice Admiral, USN (RET)
Information compiled by Charles A. Lewis
On 3 August 1910, Richmond Kelly Turner married Harriet "Hattie" Sterling in Stockton, CA.
During the early years of their marriage, Hattie suffered from a troublesome illness labeled "the colic." Ensign and Lieutenant (jg) Turner's letters to his mother and sister are full of legitimate worry and concern in regard to the health of his wife.
Kelly Turner's love and devotion to his wife continued throughout his life. His wife did not have robust health in either her earlier or her later years. She often commented that "One day, I am alright and the next can hardly move. . . . I always feel alright at night."
For a man whose fury and rage made strong men quake, it is a bit surprising to read in Kelly Turner's letters of his "blessed lamb, " "sweet little girl," and similar expressions.
Those of the Class of 1908 (U.S. Naval Academy) who were on duty together in the USS California in 1922-23 were Lieutenant Commanders Turner, H.F.D. Davis, and Ernest W. McKee. The McKees, Davises, and Turners became intimate friends during their California cruise, and remained so during the many, many years following.
McKee was the last of the California trio alive and Mrs. McKee said the following of Harriet:
"Harriet was a marvelous cook and a great walker. Harriet, when she was young, never wanted to be in a position where she was handicapped physically and that's my guess as to why the Kelly Turner's never had any children.
Harriet also was a great reader. In their last years, she watched over Kelly like a hawk and tried to reduce or eliminate his drinking. She wouldn' t let him keep any liquor in the house, so he hid it in the garden tool house.
Kelly had a green thumb, with everything. He loved to work in his garden, and he worked at the garden like he worked at everything else--furiously. His back hurt him constantly, but still he worked. He wouldn't let anyone pick his New Zealand spinach, which was out of this world, but Harriet spent a lot of effort trying to give away the quantities of other vegetables, fruits and flowers he grew--marvelous apples, wonderful roses; everything. Even the deer used to find the garden at night and eat things up."
Friends and Acquaintances
As far as can be determined, the Turners had many, many acquaintances and admirers, but a limited number of intimate friends. By and large, they were sufficient unto themselves and did not need a large amount of company to keep happy. Admiral Bieri recalled:
"He (Turner) was a man of high character. He and his wife seemed to be devoted and constant companions when he was free of official duties. While they participated in many of the social events current, they spent much time in their home and with their intimate friends. Both were avaricious readers."
The Turner's and Their Dogs
Harriet Turner's interest in life, other than her husband, was her Lhasa dogs. Her letters are full of the never-ending succession of their illnesses and recent progeny. There is no question that she lavished on them the same affection which most women give to their children and grandchildren.
Remarks from Vice Admiral Dyer
At the time this scribe visited Admiral Turner in his home the year before he died, his beloved wife Harriet was in bed much of each day and slowly dying of cancer.
Mrs. Turner told me that there were just two earthly things which her condition justified her wishing for, before she died. One was to live long enough to observe her fiftieth wedding anniversary, and the other was to live long enough to vote for Richard Nixon. The wedding anniversary was observed on 3 August 1960, the vote was cast on 1 November 1960, and Harriet Turner died on 3 January 1961.
Of the funeral occasion, a 1908 classmate wrote:
"Yesterday we saw Kelly for an hour. Though visibly sad, he did not break down, nor would we have expected him to do so. Rugged and tough, a man who never asked for quarter, but frequently gave it, his upper lip was stiff and his courage sublime. And all this with his whole system ridden with arthritis, a steel brace without which I doubt if he could walk. Kelly Turner had these qualities from the first day we knew him."
Kelly Turner's retirement years held no emptiness until his wife died.
Most of the above are excerpts from 'The Amphibians Came to Conquer: The Story of Richmond Kelly Turner' by George C. Dyer, Vice Admiral, USN (RET)
Information compiled by Charles A. Lewis
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