BY SHARON MORGAN
The Cincinnati Enquirer
E. Robert Turner, former Cincinnati city manager and former vice president for Federated Department Stores, died Oct. 14 from complications following emergency surgery in Bozeman, Mont. The former Clifton resident was 72.
"My husband was most proud of being a mentor to many outstanding individuals, who in turn have gone out into the world of public administration and public service," said his wife, Judith of Louisville, Colo.
Mr. Turner, named city manager in 1972, set a goal of improving links between government and business. In 1975, he accepted the position of vice president for public affairs for Federated Department Stores.
He left after four years and became an urban affairs consultant in Colorado. Before moving to Cincinnati, he had served as city manager for six years in Boulder, Colo., and was vice president for external affairs of the Colorado Community Colleges.
Mr. Turner received the International City Management National Career Development award for his efforts in training minorities to hold city management and planning position. He was past president of the association and held membership in the National Academy of Public Administration. He was recognized for outstanding civic performance and received a political science award from Xavier University.
Mr. Turner attended Dartmouth College and graduated from Hobart College in Geneva, N.Y. He also did graduate work at the Wharton School, University of Pennsylvania.
Mr. Turner's body was cremated.
Besides his wife, he also is survived by a daughter, Brooke Karath of Bozeman; two sons, Matthew of Glenwood Springs, Colo., and Warren of Boulder; and one grandchild.
Memorial service will be Nov. 16 at the St. Francis Conference Center on the Auraria campus, Denver.
Memorials can be made in his memory to the Education Foundation, Suite 600, 1391 N. Speer Blvd., Denver 80204-2554.
