Bruce C. Turnbull died suddenly in his home in Wilmington, Delaware, on March 20, 2024 after 95 great years.
Bruce’s life began on May 17, 1928 on a small family farm along the banks of the Butternut Creek in central New York. The good humor, values, and easy-going commonsense of the community stuck with him throughout his life. Even though he moved away as an adult, he always enjoyed returning to visit family and reminiscing about his early years in the Butternut Valley.
He earned his BS in Chemistry at Colgate University, graduating in 1950. Service in the Army took him to Tacoma, Washington, where he met his wife Beverly. After completing his military service, he found work in the Explosives Division of DuPont, gradually moving eastward to Wisconsin, Illinois, and finally Delaware, raising a family along the way.
He retired after 35 years with DuPont and devoted time to his passion of woodworking. He restored and built beautiful furniture for his own home as well as those of numerous friends and kin. He enjoyed small household improvements and helped neighbors with small projects. He relished yardwork and was able to mow his daughter’s lawn a few days before he passed.
He became a stalwart member of the Retired Men’s Luncheon Club and another luncheon group, DuPont Explosives Retirement Survivors. An avid walker, he was a regular fixture in the communities of Belmont and North Graylyn Crest.
He enjoyed travel both for business and pleasure. Most of all he enjoyed his family, friends, and spending time with his grandchildren and great grandchildren. In his last years and months, he was able to take a cruise to see his granddaughter perform onboard, enjoy his brother Howard’s 100th birthday party, and travel to Indiana to see his newest great grandson.
He was active up until his last day during which he enjoyed his usual morning walk and visit with his daughter, a class at Osher Center of Lifelong Learning, and dinner with his friends at Forwood Manor.
Survivors include his three children, Bruce, Kim (Paul) Klocke, and Rob; his grandchildren, Julia, Steven (Sarah), Sarah, and Matthew; his great grandchildren, Reid and Julian; and many nieces, nephews, and cousins. He was predeceased by his parents, George and Vivian; wife, Beverly; and siblings Howard G., Isabel Turnbull Winters, James S., and John R.
Friends and family are invited to a visitation on Wednesday, April 10 at 11 am at the McCrery & Harra Funeral Home, 3924 Concord Pike, Wilmington, DE 19803 with a memorial service at noon. Interment will take place privately.
In lieu of flowers, the family suggests donations to the Butternut Valley Cemetery Association, 1352 County Highway 16, Burlington Flats, N.Y. 13315, or Lutheran Community Services, 2809 Baynard Blvd., Wilmington, DE 19802.
