Richard Turner

On April 28, 2021, Richard Abram Turner died in New Delhi, India, after succumbing to complications related to COVID 19. He was 74 years old.

Richard was born in Brooklyn, NY where he attended Erasmus Hall High School.  For his BA Richard went to North Carolina Central University where he studied pre-colonial and American history. Later, he pursued a Masters in Higher Education at Montclair State University and was certified to teach K -12 grade. Richard came to the Center for the Study of Higher Education at the University of Michigan to pursue a Ph.D.  

Known as a radical educator, Richard went on to teach African-American studies at various universities as an adjunct professor and was a founding member of the Center for African & African American Studies at the University of Michigan -- Dearborn. He worked at United Community Services (a social services organization affiliated with the United Way) in Detroit, MI. He was recognized for his outstanding services to indigenous communities by the consortium of indigenous peoples of Michigan. Richard’s crowning career experience was teaching at Zayed University, Abu Dhabi, an American style university catering to the UAE’s first generation of women to go into higher education. Zayed students respected “Richard Sir” for the empathy with which he approached the unique educational contexts of not just the shaikhas (women of the royal families of the UAE) but the recently settled members of the Beduin communities of the Arabian Peninsula. 

Outside of Academia, Richard was known to be an exceptional dancer often “clearing the dance floor” as others watched. He was also an avid photographer who enjoyed using 35mm and medium format cameras to capture wildlife and nature. Young people everywhere sought Richard for his sage advice and counsel, which he gave generously, saying, “I wish there had been someone there to show me the direction in life.” 

Richard is survived by his wife of 25 years, Poonam Arora, his children, Harlan (Anna) Turner, Marian Turner and Mansuda Zeba Arora; his sister Geraldine (Demetrius) Venable; nieces Jessica and Juanita Venable. Richard is also survived by his grandson, Maximus Abram Turner whom he adored. He was preceded in death by his parents, Juanita and Louis Turner.

A Celebration of Life is scheduled for Saturday, May 29, 2021 at 11:00am EDT. The service will be held via Zoom https://ableto.zoom.us/j/94979516458?pwd=eEgrR3pCV0Y2RzRXNzlkZ0Noamw1Zz09  

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made in Richard’s name to Amnesty International https://www.amnesty.org/en/ or The Southern Poverty Law Center https://www.splcenter.org/