Francis “Mel” Turner

  Francis Mel Turner, 78, a resident of Lake Oswego, Oregon, died peacefully with family by his side on Monday, Aug. 29, 2016. He was born Sept. 21, 1937 in Seattle, Washington.
  He spent his childhood in Seattle, attending Roosevelt High School. He served six years in the U.S. Army and went on to complete his BS, MS and PhD degrees in electrical engineering at the University of Washington. He married Frances (Fran) Turner, of Lynden, on June 21, 1975, helping her raise her five children and later adding a sixth child together. Mel and Fran spent 36 years together before Fran passed away on Sept. 17, 2011.
  Mel spent most of his career teaching electrical engineering at Oregon Institute of Technology in Klamath Falls, Oregon, where he was a full professor and spent several years as department chair before retiring in June 2000. Mel was fascinated with all facets of aeronautics, cloud physics, electrical engineering and genealogy and was happy to share his depth and breadth of knowledge.
  Mel’s interest in photography and cloud physics resulted in his photographs being published in technical journals. He designed and constructed a device to measure ice crystals in clouds; it is still used today to collect data for weather prediction models.
  He regularly attended church and served as a deacon at the First Church of God in Klamath Falls. He was a member of the Sons and Daughters of the American Revolution. When Mel inherited a 3-corner hat from the American Revolution, he donated it to a museum.
  Mel was preceded in death by his wife, Frances Turner; and two grandchildren, Cory Thompson and Daniel Barnes. He leaves behind: children Suzie Barnes (husband Jim) of Gibsons, B.C., Brad Thompson (wife Lisa) of Marysville, Washington, Brian Thompson (wife Michele) of Lynden, Tina Haggith (husband David) of Everson, Jeannie Osburn of Portland, Oregon, and Jason Turner (wife Stina) of Oregon City, Oregon; 14 grandchildren and seven great-grandchildren; along with numerous relatives and friends.
  Friends and family are invited to a celebration of life service on Saturday, Oct. 8, 2016 at 2 p.m. in Grace Baptist Fellowship, 338 N. Park St., Lynden, WA 98264.
  Donations in his memory may be sent to: World Concern, 19303 Fremont Ave. N, Seattle, WA 98133-9960.