Carl Richard Turner, 86, of North, Virginia, passed away on Saturday, July 27, 2019, surrounded by his family.
Carl was born on Feb. 27, 1933 to Carl and Helen Turner in Linden, New Jersey, and grew up with identical twin Norman, and older brother Kenneth. The twins were inseparable and worked together to put themselves through Rutgers University, where Carl was a member of the Army ROTC and graduated in 1956 with a bachelor’s degree in Electrical Engineering. He went on to receive a master’s degree from Stevens Institute of Technology. Following school, Carl joined Hughes Corporation and moved to California. After a year in California, Carl moved to Lake Hopatcong, New Jersey, to be closer to his identical twin and the rest of his family. Carl joined RCA in New Jersey as part of the Solid State Division. His brother also joined RCA around the same time and the twins soon began their habit of commuting to work together every day.
Carl met his beloved wife, Norma Olsen, at RCA, and the two were married on May 12, 1962. Carl’s career progressed rapidly and he was eventually promoted to Division Vice President and General Manager of the Solid State Division. When General Electric acquired RCA, Carl was the only RCA executive elevated to Corporate Vice President at GE, and he took over an organization of over 20,000 people. He reported directly to Jack Welch and the Office of the Chairman until his retirement in 1988. He enjoyed his time at GE and felt honored to have a chance to work with the famous Mr. Welch.
While working for RCA, Carl and his brother Norman decided to open a small chain of wine cellars in New Jersey. They built the stores themselves and their wives managed the day-to-day operations. Following the sale of the stores and after his retirement, Carl served as a board member of several companies where he enjoyed mentoring young executives.
Carl began to spend time in Mathews when he and his son, Norman, purchased Horn Harbor Marina in 1989. Throughout his life Carl was always focused on his next project. He enjoyed construction projects and boats as much as he loved building businesses, so the marina was a perfect retirement project.
Carl also had a passion for family, history, and traveling. He often combined the three with large family trips to Europe. While there, he always made sure to visit his beloved Switzerland where he loved riding the punctual Swiss trains, and could experience the joy of riding a funicular through the breathtaking scenery of the high Alps.
Carl was preceded in death by his twin brother, Norman; sister-in-law, Sara; brother, Kenneth, and his parents, Carl and Helen.
He is survived by his wife of 57 years, Norma; his children, David, Norman (Kris), and Diana Bandurco (Oleg); grandchildren, Andrew and Matthew Turner, Isabelle Smoot (Derek) and Lily Turner, and Sophia, Julia, and Grace Bandurco. He is also survived by his nieces, Norma Enders (Bruce) and Florie Palmer (Steve), along with his grand-niece and -nephews, Shannon and Noah Enders and Steve Palmer (Mary). Carl also had many, many other beloved sisters- and brothers-in-law and nieces and nephews.
The family would like to thank the amazing staff of Walter Reed Hospice and Dr. Haggerty and his caring staff for their unwavering support to Carl and his family throughout their time of need.
The funeral service was held at Bethel United Methodist Church in Mathews on Tuesday, July 30 at 11 a.m. A graveside service and interment will follow on Saturday, Aug. 3 at 10 a.m. in Netcong, New Jersey, where Carl will be buried alongside his twin brother Norman.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in Carl’s memory to the American Heart Association.
Faulkner Funeral Homes, Foster-Faulkner Chapel assisted the family with the arrangements.