Robert Lionel Turner (‘Bob’) went to his Lord and Savior Jesus Christ on Saturday, May 16, 2026, at a Bismarck, ND Care Center after a long and undaunted courageous battle with a neurological condition. He was 85. He is an Amazing Father, Husband, Son, Son-In-Law, Brother, Uncle, and Grandson beloved by countless people. Bob was a physically and mentally tough person that never wavered working 49 years – one year as a temporary employee and 48 years as a permanent employee – at the North Dakota State Penitentiary (NDSP) where his Father and Grandfather also worked in the early to mid-20th Century. They combined to faithfully serve over 100 years to the People of North Dakota. He was successfully treated for prostate cancer in early 2009 at age 68 and cared so much for his sons that he did not tell them for several weeks that he had a cancer diagnosis as to not worry them. Many asked him if he was going to retire from the NDSP. He replied, ‘no, I have a son in law school and a recently engaged son, I am going to keep working, plus I like my job.’ He worked another seven plus years running the NDSP Treatment Unit retiring in April 2016 where then Lieutenant Governor Drew Wrigley presented him with a service award. It was a highlight for his long and dedicated career. He had a reputation for being a firm but very compassionate and good listening correctional officer that had a simple rule he stated when interviewed by the Bismarck Tribune on his retirement: ‘I always treated them like I would want them to treat me.’ When he went to retire an inmate that had been in and out of the NDSP told him that he was not going to come back because, ‘he could not do time without Turner running the Treatment Unit.’

Bob was born February 17, 1941, at Bismarck Hospital, now Sanford Hospital, to his loving parents Walter Lionel Turner and Helen Myrtle Turner (nee Johnson). He was raised an ultra-devout Lutheran being baptized and confirmed at Trinity Lutheran Church where his beloved grandmother, Caroline Johnson (nee Satter) was a charter member. Bob was extremely proud of his Scandinavian heritage – Norwegian, Swede, and some English (Turner is an English surname which dates to the Mayflower) – being a lifelong member of the Sons of Norway. He raised his sons to be ultra-devout Lutherans and be very proud of their Scandinavian heritage along with working hard, being committed to whatever they do, who they are, and taking care of their family.

Bob attended elementary school, junior high, and high school in Bismarck, ND graduating in 1959 from Bismarck High School. He went on to Bismarck Junior College (now Bismarck State College) and further pursued his studies at the University of North Dakota subsequently graduating from the University of Mary in the Social Sciences. Growing up, he and his friends would explore Bismarck, ND on foot, bicycles, and later automobiles always looking for a new adventure and listening to the new music – Rock and Roll – on the radio. He was a personal friend of Bobby Vee and Conway Twitty and LOVED Rock and Roll music and road trips going to countless concerts in the Upper MidWest – especially the annual 50s in February in Clear Lake, Iowa - and accompanying his guitar virtuoso brother to many of their band’s shows in the mid to late 1960s and early 1970s. He was an excellent dancer.

Bob knew Bismarck, ND history like no other; he was an encyclopedia of the Capital City. He could have literally written volumes on mid to late 20th Century Bismarck, ND history. He would often drive around the local neighborhoods and tell who used to live where and what businesses used to be there. It was a joy to cruise around Bismarck, ND with him and listen to his stories. Especially taking ‘Thrill Hill’ in Mandan, ND at a ‘moderate’ rate of speed with his high school buddies and later with his wife and sons.

A tireless worker, as a kid he helped his Dad, Mom, and Siblings, Shirley Marie Schwichtenberg (nee Turner) and Ronald Keith Turner build their family business – Turner Rentals – where they constructed and operated dozens of cabins, houses, apartments, and owned a small motel for five decades serving travelers and tenants in the Bismarck, ND area. One of the cabins still stands today at Lake Isabel, ND along with several houses in the Capital City. Even in his 50s, Bob would often work 12 hour days starting mid-morning at the family business then going to work at the NDSP where he anchored the Treatment Unit for decades on the 1pm to 9pm shift and then back to the family business for a couple of hours in the evening. He did this to provide for his family. He would watch WGN SuperStation in between renting motel rooms as he loved their noon and 9pm news and the Chicago Cubs broadcasts. He turned his mother and son into lifelong Cubs fans. Go Cubs Go!

In May 1971 he met the love of his life, a farm girl, Korliss Hill. One of his childhood Pastors, John Nicolai, told him to ‘marry a farm girl.’ They married October 23, 1971 at St. Peter’s Lutheran Church in rural McLean County, ND. They were blessed with two sons – Mark and Luke – both born and raised in Bismarck, ND. Even into his later years he would tell them everyday that he loved them and was proud of them. For Real. He often said that the best decision he ever made was marrying Korliss and the two best days of his life were when his sons were born only to be bolstered by his son’s marriage and grandsons’ births.

He is survived by his lovely wife, Korliss Turner, sons Mark (spouse Sarah Turner) the young grandsons – the BBBs – Benjamin, Brayden, and Braxton, son Luke Turner, along with numerous nieces and nephews, and brother and sister-in-law. He loved being called Dad and Uncle Bob. A very special thank you to his niece Jan Sitton who frequently called him on Sunday afternoons from Oregon to reminisce about Bismarck, ND in the 1960s and 1970s and all those who visited him at St Gabrial; he loved to have good conversations. Just ask the numerous St. Gabrial staff members that cared for him. A very special thank you to them for their excellent care and kindness toward Bob. He would repeatedly say, ‘Thank You’ and ‘I Appreciate That’ to the staff. He Is a Special One.

He joins his loving parents, Walter and Myrtle, sister Shirley Schwichtenberg, her husband Douglas, brother Ronald Turner, and nephew Paul Schwichtenberg, beloved aunts Florence Turner and Doris Berg and uncle Al Turner, and sister-in-law, Carol Hill, mother and father in-law Eunice and Wilber Hill, grandmother in-law Catherine Sayler (‘Grannie’) in Paradise along with his beloved grandparents, Byron Charles Turner, Bessie Turner (nee Lawston), Harry Johnson, and Caroline Johnson. Caroline was extremely dear to Bob and his siblings. He would walk to her house from elementary school for lunch; she made all the lefse Bob could eat and the best sugar cookies. He always said, ‘she made it and I ate it!’

Well Done Good and Faithful Servant! Well Done Lieutenant Turner! Thank You for serving your Family, Friends, and the People of North Dakota. You Will Be Dearly, Dearly Missed and Those That Knew You Will Draw Inspiration From Your Steadfast Approach. Love You With All Our Hearts Dad!

A funeral service will be held at 11AM on Friday, May 22, at Trinity Lutheran Church, 502 N 4th St, Bismarck, ND. 

Visitation will be held from 5-7 PM on Thursday, May 21, at Parkway Funeral Service, 2330 Tyler Pkwy, Bismarck.