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News and Reviews

DR. ORRIN T U R N Q U I S T 1913-1986

Dr. Orrin C. Turnquist, better known by his colleagues and friends around the country as Clint Turnquist, passed away unexpectedly on November 17, 1986, from complications after a three-year bout with leukemia. Turnquist was professor emeritus of the Horticultural Science and Landscape Architecture Department of the University of Minnesota.

He was born in Minneapolis, Minnesota, on April 29, 1913. He attended the University of Minnesota, receiving his Bachelor of Science degree with High Distinction in 1937. In 1940, he received his Master of Science degree in horticulture, and a Ph.D. in horticulture and plant genetics in 1951.

From 1945-1947, he was a horticulturist at the Northwest Experiment Station at Crookston, Minnesota. In 1947, he joined the Department of

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Horticulture at the University of Minnesota, becoming a professor and state extension specialist in vegetable and potato production and processing. One of his many responsibilities was coordinator for potato breeding for the U.S. Department of Agriculture, North Central Region. He founded the Minnesota Vegetable Growers Association in 1949 and served as secretary/treasurer for that organization for 34 years.

In 1966, Dr. Turnquist took study leave to look at potato breeding and production methods in Europe, presenting a paper on his findings at the Third Triennial Conference to the European Association of Potato Research at Zurich, Switzerland.

He was visiting research professor at the Agricultural College of Sweden in Uppsala, in 1972. During this time, he also studied potato production and irrigation in Germany, Holland, Denmark, and Finland.

In October, 1979, Turnquist was a consultant for F.M.C. Corporation on potato production in Vladimir and Moscow in the Soviet Union.

Turnquist was an enthusiastic lecturer who knew his students by name. He was not only a scientist and educator, but also a person who enjoyed people.

Courses taught by Turnquist included Fundamentals of Horticulture, Vegetable Crop Production, Market Grades of Fruits and Vegetables, and Horticultural Crop Judging. He also coached the intercollegiate vegetable judging teams, which participated in a number of national competitions. After his retirement in 1978, he continued to teach evening classes in horticulture at the University of Minnesota.

Concerns about the industry led Turnquist to develop the Anoka potato variety, promote tissue culture of potato seed stock, and encourage quality control for potato chipping.

Turnquist authored over 100 popular and scientific publications. He was the "answer man" for Family Food Garden Magazine, as well as writing the "Garden and Orchard" column for the Farmer Magazine.

Turnquist was active in all levels of his profession. He was an international judge of potatoes and vegetables, as well as a certified state judge. For over 30 years, he served as superintendent of the vegetable and potato department, as well as a judge, at the Minnesota State Fair. He was a director, president, and superintendent at the Dakota County Fair.

In 1961, Turnquist was president of The Potato Association of America. He was an honorary life member of that association. He participated for 32 consecutive years in the Red River Valley winter show as a judge, speaker, and as superintendent of the potato judging contests for 4-H and FFA.

During his life, he receivect many awards from growers' associations, processors, and civic groups. A recognition and life member award was given to Turnquist by the Minnesota Growers Association. He is in the "Red River Valley Hall of Fame" in recognition of his dedicated service and leadership as a "builder" of the Valley. He was given the FFA "Honorary

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State Farmer" award, and the distinguished science award, the bronze medal, in addition to an honorary life membership award from the Minnesota State Horticultural Society.

Turnquist belonged to many honorary societies, including Sigma Xi, Gamma Sigma Delta, Alpha Zeta, Xi Sigma Pi, and Epsilon Sigma Pi.

Orrin Turnquist is survived by his wife, Gladys; daughter, Barabara; son, Richard; and five grandchildren. His warmth, enthusiasm, and knowledge will be missed by his family, friends, and the many other lives he touched.