Remembering Bernie Turner
A founder of McMinnville Area Habitat for Humanity
1930-2024
Bernie Turner served as MacHabitat’s founder, Board President Volunteer Executive Director, and Construction Manager from 1991-2002.
Our story starts when Bernie and a few of his friends (Verne Cooperrider, Joyce Palmer, Margie Taylor, and Mark Trumbo) decided to start a chapter of Habitat for Humanity in McMinnville. Bernie had recently retired as the pastor at First Baptist Church and was motivated by hearing former president Jimmy Carter speak about his volunteer work with Habitat. He became passionate about providing homeownership opportunities to low-income families in the community. With his wife, Roz, at his side, Bernie and friends built MacHabitat’s first home in McMinnville in 1991 for the Sanchez Family with the help of dedicated volunteers, charitable local businesses, and generous donors.
Home #1 was only the beginning…
Bernie was not only one of the founders of the Habitat for Humanity affiliate in the McMinnville area, he also brought his leadership skills and loving nature to the organization, bringing us where we are today – 72 houses and hundreds of lives changed for the better. For 11 years, Bernie gave his time and dedication freely —without taking a salary— and stayed on as a volunteer “Assistant to the Executive Director” to transition leadership duties until 2003.
With fellow founders Vern and Rosemary Cooprider and original co-president Mark Trumbo, Bernie set out with his wife, Roz, along with Joyce Palmer and Margie Taylor, to work toward the mission of providing safe, decent, affordable houses for low-income home buyers. He paved the way for Executive Directors, Board Members, and volunteers to continue the work he began 33 years ago, bringing people together to build homes, community, and hope.
Rest In Peace, dear Bernie – and thank you.
In 2002 I met the man who would change the trajectory of my life. Bernie Turner encouraged me to apply for a Habitat for Humanity home, the deadline to turn in the application was the next day. About 3 months later we were awarded the chance to partner with Habitat to build our home.
When I speak in support of Habitat, I talk about living in poverty, how it takes almost all of the bandwidth of the brain to survive. I talk about the joy (well, sometimes grueling joy), of working alongside the beautiful community.
But mostly I talk about the gift I was given of having that bandwidth back. I got to go back to school and accidentally got a BS in Computer Science (2008). I was offered the chance to teach at Western Oregon University, so I continued my education to get a Masters Degree (2009) and then a PhD (2012). I am now a full professor and the chair of the Division of Computer Science. This is the gift I was so freely given.
Every time I saw Bernie I would hug him, tell him I loved him, and say “You know you changed my life”. My favorite part is he would smile and say “Yes, I do know”.
On June 28th, 2024 Bernie Turner passed away. My heart is sad that he is no longer here, but I am ever grateful that I got to know him. Bernie Turner, you will always be the man who changed my life.
Bernie’s impact on our community will be felt for years to come. His championing of his vision of a community where shelter/housing was a reality for all led to his founding of Mac Habitat upon his retirement from the ministry. His belief in the concept of a “hand up” as opposed to a “hand out,” has been the foundation of the affiliate’s work in providing simple, affordable, decent housing opportunities for many in our community. From the early days of building one house at a time on a lot here and there to the current Aspire development with thirty plus homes being built, Habitat continues the work for which he laid the foundation. His legacy will long be remembered as honored with the naming of Turner Way in the Aspire neighborhood. May God bless the life of Bernie Turner and his beloved, Roz, for all the ways that they have touched our lives.
Marianne Mills, MacHabitat Volunteer and former Executive Director Bernie’s huge heart and deep compassion were matched only by his contagious charm and quick wit. His dedication to Habitat’s mission helped ensure that families in our community have the opportunity to make their dreams of homeownership come true. From swinging a hammer on the construction site to wielding his incredible powers of persuasion to raise funds for our mission, Bernie has been a constant source of support and inspiration for our community.
I have known Bernie for many years as a friend and supporter of Habitat for Humanity. My first in-depth experience with Bernie was when he was a site supervisor for a build on Taft Street. On my first day as a volunteer, I walked on the building site, shook hands with Bernie and was challenged to cut and bend rebar for the foundation of the new house. Showing much confusion about such a task, I was led by Bernie through the process. From then on, I valued his leadership as not only founder of Mac Habitat but as a person willing to be a guide and worker on the job site. I was fortunate to be on the Habitat board when it chose to name Turner Way in the Aspire development, a tribute to a great individual.
Doug Cruikshank, MacHabitat Construction Volunteer and former Board Member We were saddened to hear of Bernie’s passing. He was synonymous with MacHabitat. It was uncanny how he could cajole people to give more of themselves than they thought possible. He was a remarkable man.
