Richard "Rick" Bruce Turpen's Obituary
Rick Turpen passed away on Saturday evening after a brief and bravely fought battle with lung cancer at age 74.
With a personality that was larger than life, Rick always seized the day, and approached life as an endless series of adventures. He assumed the risk was usually worth the reward - that is, until the Hawaiian government decided he had committed the most heinous of all acts imaginable - growing the sacramental kine. After four years on a sabbatical tour of the country's correctional programs, Rick came out with the same thirst for life - perhaps with a tad less caution thrown to the wind. Timing would have it that he met the love of his life, Christine, who he would go on to build a beautiful home with in Hawaiian Acres.
He was a successful Ironman triathlete in the 80’s, a voracious reader and a cunning Scrabble player. A man of Aloha and aloha shirts, Rick wore his heart on his sleeve when it came to animals and often a macaw on his shoulder named Raucous. A musician and a wordsmith, he loved to perform on his 12 string Martin at home on Sunday afternoons. In his life he was a Science teacher at Pahoa High, a fisherman, Boy Scout, diver of the deep, cultivator of the kine, and a proud member of the Green 13. A card carrying member, he loved the Hilo library so much he advocated visiting it in his last days. A social justice warrior, he marched on Washington in the 70s.
He is survived by his wife Christine, daughter Roxanne, grandson Evander and several good friends. He was preceded in death by his daughter Tracy, his parents Ruth and Richard and four siblings.
A talk-story remembrance potluck will be held at their home from 1-3pm on Saturday January 18th.
“I know that there are no random strangers,
The path of least regrets… my daily refrain.
And I’ve won and I’ve lost… reckon up the costs.
When it was real there was something to feel I can’t explain.
Now that it’s over all I can say is…
Let’s get on with the rain.”
-Rick Turpen
In lieu of flowers please consider a donation to the following:
World Food Program USA - https://www.wfpusa.org/
Asheville Humane Society - https://www.ashevillehumane.org/
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