School mourns the loss of Dr. Frank Turner
Dr. Frank Turner played a pivotal role in Memorial University’s School of Social Work’s history. He was recruited as the first director of the then Department of Social Welfare, with a mandate to develop a bachelor of social work program for Memorial. In 1968, his report to Memorial’s Senate recommended the establishment of a bachelor of social work degree program, thus marking the initial steps toward becoming the professional school it is today.
Dr. Turner was the inaugural director of the School of Social Work, and in 1992-93 served as the inaugural Chair in Child Protection.
“He gave form and focus to the Chair, that was then further developed by his successors, Kathleen Kufeldt and Ken Barter,” said Dr. Ross Klein, interim dean of the School of Social Work. “We are fortunate to have been touched by his skill and professional spirit. Many of our school’s members have read Frank’s work and others have worked with him. His writings, teaching and actions were always centred on advancing the well-being of people and communities. The social work community in Canada will miss him.”