Obituary
- Mr. Roland W. Turner M. Sc.1914
- 1969
On the morning of Thursday, December 18th, 1969,
the School was saddened to learn of the death of Mr. R. W. Turner, M.Sc.
He had been ill for only a short time. We offer our sympathy to his
mother, to Malcolm, Geoffrey, Patricia and Philip.
Roland Turner graduated at the University of Sheffield. After teaching experience in England and service in the Royal Air Force during the war, he taught for some years in the Rainey Endowed School, Magherafelt. In 1956 he came to Portadown College as Head of the Mathematics Department.
During his thirteen years in Portadown he took the fullest possible part in the life of the school. He was a fine teacher, with a continually fresh and lively approach to his subject. His work was illuminated by a delight in lucid exposition and colleagues and pupils recall his characteristic smile of pleasure on arriving at the solution to some tricky problem. He had a deep personal interest in all his pupils, very many of whom now hold posts of distinction in the academic world. Their success always gave him keen satisfaction.
In the wider life of the School, his logical mind and organizing ability were put to excellent use in the running of various internal School funds and events such as those to raise money for the 1969 India Expedition of which he was Hon. Treasurer. On all matters of administration he gave perceptive and clear guidance.
He was a notable athlete in earlier, days, being quite outstanding as a tennis and soccer player. As well as helping to coach hockey, he regularly played in the annual Staff-School hockey match. He was also a very active member of the Badminton Club but in more recent years his greatest love was golf and he won many prizes in local tournaments. During what was to be his last summer he chose not to go away but, instead, to spend his holiday at home playing golf.
As a colleague, he won and held the respect and the affection of all who worked with him. He served for many years on the Executive Committee of the NI Branch of the Assistant Masters' Association and was a member of the Salaries Sub-Committee and the Mathematics Panel. His wisdom and experience were freely available on a wide range of matters, professional and personal, and his help was always given cheerfully and without condescension. He listened willingly and sympathetically to the troubles and anxieties of others. He bore with courage and dignity his own troubles, particularly the death of his wife, Marjorie, in Oct. 1962. The last few weeks of his life saw the fullest expression of his gentleness, his patience and his thoughtfulness for others.
Roland Turner graduated at the University of Sheffield. After teaching experience in England and service in the Royal Air Force during the war, he taught for some years in the Rainey Endowed School, Magherafelt. In 1956 he came to Portadown College as Head of the Mathematics Department.
During his thirteen years in Portadown he took the fullest possible part in the life of the school. He was a fine teacher, with a continually fresh and lively approach to his subject. His work was illuminated by a delight in lucid exposition and colleagues and pupils recall his characteristic smile of pleasure on arriving at the solution to some tricky problem. He had a deep personal interest in all his pupils, very many of whom now hold posts of distinction in the academic world. Their success always gave him keen satisfaction.
In the wider life of the School, his logical mind and organizing ability were put to excellent use in the running of various internal School funds and events such as those to raise money for the 1969 India Expedition of which he was Hon. Treasurer. On all matters of administration he gave perceptive and clear guidance.
He was a notable athlete in earlier, days, being quite outstanding as a tennis and soccer player. As well as helping to coach hockey, he regularly played in the annual Staff-School hockey match. He was also a very active member of the Badminton Club but in more recent years his greatest love was golf and he won many prizes in local tournaments. During what was to be his last summer he chose not to go away but, instead, to spend his holiday at home playing golf.
As a colleague, he won and held the respect and the affection of all who worked with him. He served for many years on the Executive Committee of the NI Branch of the Assistant Masters' Association and was a member of the Salaries Sub-Committee and the Mathematics Panel. His wisdom and experience were freely available on a wide range of matters, professional and personal, and his help was always given cheerfully and without condescension. He listened willingly and sympathetically to the troubles and anxieties of others. He bore with courage and dignity his own troubles, particularly the death of his wife, Marjorie, in Oct. 1962. The last few weeks of his life saw the fullest expression of his gentleness, his patience and his thoughtfulness for others.
[Extracted from the 1970 PC "Prospect" Magazine]