Charles Hanson Turnbull, 92, a longtime summer resident of Smiths Cove and full-time resident of Niantic, CT, and loving husband of Priscilla Dickson Turnbull, died surrounded by his family on Monday, April 18, 2016. Born in East Orange, NJ on April 30, 1923, he was the son of the late William Wallace and Marjorie Hanson Turnbull. Charles grew up in East Orange and graduated from The McDonough School (’40) and Wesleyan University (‘44/’47). He served in the US Army during World War II. After working in Alaska and Philadelphia, Charles met Priscilla Dickson and they were married on May 12, 1951. They raised their family in South Orange, NJ and moved to Connecticut in 1970. He spent much of his career as a packaging engineer, working for Burry Biscuit and Chesebrough-Ponds, among other companies. He also served as President of Fenwick Engineering, was a partner in Resource Recovery Systems, and was the Libertarian Party candidate for CT Lieutenant Governor in 1982. His 6’6” frame stood out in the elementary school classrooms at the New London Magnet School where he volunteered for many years, and he served on the Vestry of St. Andrews and on the Rescue Squad in South Orange. Charles was a remarkable authority on a number of subjects -- a true Renaissance man and independent thinker. He was an accomplished painter and sculptor and a prolific writer, authoring nearly a dozen books and countless published articles and essays. Quick to engage in wide ranging conversation, he also loved outdoor activities, being with family, traveling and spending summers throughout his life at the beloved family cottage in Smiths Cove, Nova Scotia. He will be deeply missed by Priscilla, his wife of nearly 65 years; his three children: Linda Turnbull Hanson of Anacortes, WA; David (Suzie) of Manchester-by-the-Sea, MA; and Wendy Turnbull Perry (Ray) of Jamestown, RI; seven grandchildren: Laura, Lindsay, Elizabeth, Douglas, Emily, Caroline and Amy; eight great-grandchildren; and his good friends.
A family gathering in his memory will be held in Nova Scotia this summer.