It is with deep regret that we acknowledge the passing of Dr. Turner L. Oyloe who led the California Walnut Board and Commission from May 1987 through July 1995.
January 12, 1932 – April 9, 2013
It is with deep regret that we acknowledge the passing of Dr. Turner L. Oyloe who led the California Walnut Board and Commission from May 1987 through July 1995.
Turner was born in Brookings, South Dakota and was a graduate of South Dakota State University, where he received his undergraduate degree in Agricultural Economics in 1954 and where he married Cherie Mahan in 1951.
Following his graduation he was commissioned as an officer in the United States Army and stationed in Panama. Upon his release from active duty, Turner completed graduate school with his doctorate in Agricultural Economics at the University of Minnesota. He then began his career with the USDA Foreign Agricultural Service (FAS). In addition to assignments in Washington DC, he also served as Minister Counsellor in London, England, Bonn, Germany and Paris, France. He was recognized for his achievements in the Tokyo Round of Trade negotiations with the "Secretary of Agriculture" award. On his final assignment with the FAS, he was formally introduced to the Court of Saint James in London (1984).
Turner retired from FAS in 1986 and in May 1987 he became the Executive Director of the Walnut Marketing Board, a position he held until his retirement in 1995.
Turner spent the majority of his post-Walnut Board life in Virginia with Cherie, his wife of 62 years, near his daughter Carrie Kreitler, two grandsons and three great-grandchildren. He was interred at Arlington National Cemetery in a private ceremony.
Dr. Oyloe was the recipient of the California Walnut Industry’s Distinguished Service Award in February 1995. Many of us will remember his leadership and hard work to bring the industry together. Most of us will think of something he did or said to make us smile.
