Charles Harry Turner MD

Charles received a BA in chemistry from Louisiana College, at age 19, during his senior year, while serving as a teaching assistant in comparative anatomy. His mentor suggested that he apply to medical school because he thought Charles would be an excellent family physician. That suggestion resonated. He applied to a single medical school, Louisiana State University. Being in New Orleans made sense as he lived there with his parents. Charles worked in the summer during his internship at Charity Hospital in New Orleans and he also secured a position as a ship doctor on a banana boat carrying 24 passengers and freight, from the Honduras to Panama. This trip ignited a lifelong passion for travel.

Charles then applied for residency in family medicine at Kern General Hospital, in Bakersfield, California so that he could visit San Francisco, Los Angeles, Sequoia National Park, Yosemite, and even Las Vegas and Mexico on long weekends, but his training was interrupted by the Korean War. During wartime, Dr. Turner served as Chief Surgeon of the Seventh Infantry Division Artillery. Upon discharge in 1955, he returned to Bakersfield and was fully trained in family and internal medicine.

It was there at Kern General Hospital that he met the love of his life Suzanne Howeth Cerini, a clinical lab technician. The two met in November, were engaged in March, and married in September of 1956. After a five month trip to Europe in 1958, the couple settled in Newport Beach.

Dr. Turner started his own practice in 1959. He was joined by Dr. Ben Wright in 1970 and by Dr. Mack Summers in 1974, and a new practice was born: Newport Family Medicine. During his 30 years of private practice, Doctor Turner was elected Chairman of Internal Medicine, Family Medicine and Chief of Staff at Hoag Memorial Presbyterian Hospital in Newport Beach. He was also a founding fellow of the AAFP.

Besides medicine, Chuck had numerous interests- breeding and showing whippets, classical music, genealogy and piloting his own airplane. He also loved horticulture and tended to bonsais, orchids, hydroponic plants, and African violets. His love of music, began in grammar school when he discovered he could skip class by going to concerts put on by the New Orleans Youth Symphony Orchestra. In college he enjoyed singing in the mixed choir and the male Quartet.

Sue, his wife, who owned a travel agency, was his perfect partner to continue his love of travel-satisfied by visits to 220 countries and territories, 55 cruises with special emphasis on the exotic destinations such as Mongolia, Iceland, Greenland, Siberia, New Guinea, Antarctica, Iran, Galapagos, Easter Island, and the Persian Gulf. Piloting a private plane forwarded Chuck the opportunity to also explore all 50 states, Mexico and parts of Canada. Chuck and Sue enjoyed homes in Maui, Hawaii, Indian Wells and Newport Beach.

Charles was a gentle soul and lover of life.

He is survived by his wife Sue who was his soulmate and best friend, married just shy of 70 years and nieces and nephews.