Memories of David Ahle Turner

In memory of

David Ahle Turner

Basalt, CO

July 20, 1952 - January 5, 2023

Jul 20, 1952 - Jan 5, 2023

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John Seebohm

While Dave and I shared an enthusiasm for alpinism, that's not how we met. We met as adversaries, each representing 1 of 2 daughters fighting over their mother's jewelry. We figured out how to help them settle, and came to respect one another in the process. After that, we found opportunities to work collaboratively, and when Dave's firm closed in 2017, he joined my firm. Over time, Dave wound down his practice, and I've had the pleasure of working with many of Dave's former clients.

Dave was an excellent and well-respected lawyer. He helped lots of people through the years, and that meant a lot to him. More important, he was a gem of a person, as his many friends know. I'll miss our friendship and sharing stories of our outdoor adventures. And, I'll miss our professional relationship.

I'll always remember how fun it was writing Dave a letter of recommendation to become a ski instructor at Aspen Mountain! And I'll never forget his enthusiasm for life and infectious laugh!

We should all live such a life.

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Becky Hall

Greg Davis

Jon Krakauer

Judith Kalb

Martha Keenan

Stephanie Turner

May Turner

David Hutchinson

Gregg Oliveri

Doria Leri-LeMay

Nancy…I’m so sorry for your loss. Words don’t ease such deep pain at this time, but they are heartfelt nonetheless. Didn’t know your husband, but have fond memories of you from our Taft days. Hope fond memories & love from family/friends help fill the void. Just wanted to reach out…take care- Hugs, Doria Leri-LeMay

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Stephanie Turner

Linda Weiss

Doria Leri-LeMay

Tom Altergott

2012, Boulder

Dinner with Nancy and Dave

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Judith Kalb

Jon Krakauer

Linda McMahon

Stephanie Turner

Carolyn Armstrong

May Turner

Linda Weiss

Doria Leri-LeMay

Comments:

Tom Altergott

I have been a friend of Nancy's since high school in Chicago.  In other words, no mountains in my background.  I first met Dave while couch surfing for a week at their place in Colorado before they got married.  I remember the instructions he gave about waxing nordic skis before my first ever attempt at Horseshoe Park in RMNP.  It was like the Karate Kid, only it was "wax on, wax on - you missed a spot - wax on, wax on ..."  He asked me to take a turn setting the trail, only to quickly realize the error of his ways as I was slowing us down and making a mess of it.  He let me off gently, with only "you might want to wax those skis better next time."    After dinner, he introduced me to a new dessert course:  dozens of fingertip pushups.  That item has not appeared on any of my dessert menus since.  He bemoaned the time he was spending on a bus going back and forth to work, which for me seemed a relatively short commute, but for him was time that could be better spent climbing or skiing .. or doing fingertip pushups ... anything but sitting in a bus.  Fast forward 30+ years to dinner with Dave and Nancy in Boulder in 2012, and while the hairline was different, Dave looked totally capable of dropping for a couple dozen pushups if we had not already started in on the actual dessert.  He had a way of conversing that made you feel like the most important person around, and I will miss the way he used his gentle laugh to help make his points.  Nancy called over the holidays to catch up, and as we wrapped up the call I mentioned to her how well she chose the person to spend her life with, and what a real pair of soulmates they were.  I believe this even more as I read some of the other recollections on this site.  He will be missed near and far by his family and friends.

I have been a friend of Nancy's since high school in Chicago. In other words, no mountains in my background.... Read more I have been a friend of Nancy's since high school in Chicago. In other words, no mountains in my background. I first met Dave... Read more I have been a friend of Nancy's since high school in... Read more

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Rick Thompson

1999, Bullet the New Sky 12b***** Endless Wall, New River Gorge National Park, WV

Dave firing off one of my classic New River routes, all style and grace!

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May Turner

Judith Kalb

Jon Krakauer

Becky Hall

Stephanie Turner

Geraldine Accomazzo

Rick Thompson

Rui Ferreira

Gregg Oliveri

Chris Archer

Comments:

Rick Thompson

Dave and I were dear friends since first meeting in 1995 and accomplished a variety of great things in the... Read more Dave and I were dear friends since first meeting in 1995 and accomplished a variety of great things in the world of rock climbing... Read more Dave and I were dear friends since first meeting in... Read more

Janette Maas

I was so sorry to hear of Dave’s passing and condolences to Nancy, Stephanie, May, Helen, and Jim. I have many childhood memories of my Turner cousins visiting Minnesota and our family traveling to Denver to visit them. Dave’s Mom always had tales of his exploits and was very proud of him.

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Jim Turner

Jon Krakauer

Stephanie Turner

Janette Maas

1968

Cool teenager Dave hanging with his brother and much younger Minnesota cousins.

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May Turner

Jim Turner

Jon Krakauer

Stephanie Turner

Comments:

Jim Turner

Hi Janette,

Thanks for posting. Hi Janette,

Thanks for posting. Hi Janette,

Thanks for posting.

Martha Keenan

2022, Arches National Park, Utah, USA

Vacation with Dave, Nancy, Matt & Steph

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Jon Krakauer

Becky Hall

Nina McMahon

May Turner

Stephanie Turner

Carolyn Armstrong

Julia Nicholson -Paine

Lauren McFalls

Shared a heart

David Hutchinson

Shared a heart

Mary and Chris Fairall

My favorite memory of Dave is when he asked me to deliver a card he made for Nancy. She was in Europe for the summer and I was meeting her for a bike trip. The card brought tears to Nancy’s eyes. Dave had written a sweet message and even decorated the card with pressed flowers from their yard. It was totally adorable. Dave was an extraordinary man. We loved him and will miss him and his great big smile.

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David Hutchinson

Julie Zahniser

Stephanie Turner

Roanne Mayer

Becky Hall

May Turner

Nina McMahon

Judith Kalb

Katie Turner

Beth Madden

Linda Weiss

Nancy Turner

1989

Van Life

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Mary and Chris Fairall

Roanne Mayer

Greg Davis

Linda Koch

Carolyn Armstrong

Julie Zahniser

David Hutchinson

Stephanie Turner

Hewitt Berrien

Linda McMahon

Becky Hall

Jim Turner

Jon Krakauer

Martha Keenan

Nina McMahon

Judith Kalb

Rick Thompson

Katie Turner

Beth Madden

Karla Lankford

Laura Eral

Jana Elliott

Brian Lenz

Tracy Winfree

Julia Nicholson -Paine

Tammy Garner

Comments:

Laura Eral

Love this pic—always wanted to see a van pic Love this pic—always wanted to see a van pic Love this pic—always wanted to see a van pic

Mason Reid

That's the way I remember you guys--visiting Becky and me in the Tetons. I just heard about Dave--really,... Read more That's the way I remember you guys--visiting Becky and me in the Tetons. I just heard about Dave--really, really sorry. After... Read more That's the way I remember you guys--visiting Becky ... Read more

Rick Accomazzo

Dave was a very daring climber, but all of his epic leads and high-ball bouldering pale in comparison to ... Read more Dave was a very daring climber, but all of his epic leads and high-ball bouldering pale in comparison to Nancy and Dave's amazing... Read more Dave was a very daring climber, but all of his epic... Read more

Nancy Turner

1996, China

May's adoption trip

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Jon Krakauer

Becky Hall

Mary and Chris Fairall

Linda Weiss

Roanne Mayer

Greg Davis

Linda Koch

Carolyn Armstrong

Julie Zahniser

David Hutchinson

Stephanie Turner

Hewitt Berrien

Linda McMahon

Jim Turner

Martha Keenan

Nina McMahon

Judith Kalb

Karyn and Michael Spratt

Rick Thompson

Beth Madden

Katie Turner

Laura Eral

Geraldine Accomazzo

Tracy Winfree

Julia Nicholson -Paine

Kevin Grove

2012, The Barb, Spearhead RMNP

Dave wasn’t feeling well on our approach but roughed out the climb, nonetheless. He ended up getting altitude sickness and was quite sick on our descent and hike out. He was in good spirits and enjoyed the whole day despite the altitude setback.

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May Turner

Jon Krakauer

Becky Hall

David Hutchinson

Stephanie Turner

Kevin Grove

2009, Kokanee Glacier Hut

May Turner

Jon Krakauer

Becky Hall

David Hutchinson

Stephanie Turner

Brian Lenz

Kevin Grove

2009, Kokanee Glacier Hut

May Turner

Jon Krakauer

Becky Hall

Carolyn Armstrong

David Hutchinson

Stephanie Turner

Martha Keenan

Brian Lenz

Kevin Grove

2009, Kokanee Glacier Hut

May Turner

Jon Krakauer

Becky Hall

David Hutchinson

Stephanie Turner

Martha Keenan

Karyn and Michael Spratt

Rick Thompson

Katie Turner

Chris Archer

Comments:

Kevin Grove

I met Dave on a hut trip in Canada and shared many fun times with him over the years. My heart amd love ... Read more I met Dave on a hut trip in Canada and shared many fun times with him over the years. My heart amd love go out to Nancy, Stephanie,... Read more I met Dave on a hut trip in Canada and shared many ... Read more

Nancy Turner

I would like to thank everyone for sharing pictures and stories of Dave. It has brought me great comfort and brought back many fond memories of him. We have decided to celebrate his life on Sunday, June 11. See event page for details.

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May Turner

Carolyn Armstrong

Jon Krakauer

Becky Hall

Greg Davis

David Hutchinson

Stephanie Turner

Kevin Grove

Martha Keenan

Nina McMahon

Karyn and Michael Spratt

Jim Turner

Katie Turner

Geraldine Accomazzo

Tracy Winfree

Julia Nicholson -Paine

Chris Archer

Linda Weiss

Comments:

Jon Krakauer

Best wishes, Nancy. Dave will not be forgotten. I look forward to celebrating his life in June with you and... Read more Best wishes, Nancy. Dave will not be forgotten. I look forward to celebrating his life in June with you and Steph and May and ... Read more Best wishes, Nancy. Dave will not be forgotten. I look... Read more

Linda Weiss

Shared a heart

Jon Krakauer

Roanne Mayer

Jon Krakauer

May Turner

Becky Hall

Stephanie Turner

Nina McMahon

Karyn and Michael Spratt

Rick Thompson

Comments:

Roanne Mayer

I had some amazing fun times with Dave including this trip to Fairy Meadows having a costume party. But what... Read more I had some amazing fun times with Dave including this trip to Fairy Meadows having a costume party. But what I really remember... Read more I had some amazing fun times with Dave including this... Read more

Becky Hall

❤️ ❤️ ❤️

Jill Kruse

My favorite memory of Dave comes from when Steph and I were in high school. We were watching a movie on the computer and at some point he came in and sat behind us without either of us noticing. We didn't know he was there until he laughed and he spent the rest of the movie chuckling at every joke. I don't even remember what we were watching but I remember his laugh and how it (and the surprise) sent us into fits of laughter too. Thinking about it still makes me smile all these years later.

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