David Gregory Turnquist

July 8, 1951 - March 6, 2021

David Gregory Turnquist (July 6, 1951 – March 6, 2021)

David Turnquist passed away in his sleep in his home in Richmond, CA on March 6^th 2021 from complications of prostate cancer.

David was born in Duluth, MN on July 8, 1951 to Mary Fitzgerald Turnquist and Capt. James Edwin Turnquist. His father was a B 52 pilot in the US Air Force and the family moved to PineCastle (later renamed McCoy) Air Force Base in Orlando, FL in 1956. He attended Saint James Catholic School and Bishop Moore High School in Orlando, graduating in 1969. Mary Fitzgerald Turnquist passed away 29 Feb 1968, and following her death the rest of the Family moved to California, Idaho and Minnesota. David attended University of Central Florida for several years, attempting to put himself through school but was ultimately unsuccessful. He worked a variety of jobs around Orlando and Daytona, FL for the next 30 years or so before moving to the San Francisco Bay Area to rejoin his three brothers and sister in California. There he enrolled in San Jose State University and completed his Civil Engineering degree in 2005. He worked for CALTRANS in the Bay Area for the past 15 years. David is survived by his sister Linda Turnquist and brothers Robert Jeffrey Turnquist and Richard Malcolm Turnquist. His brother James Alan Turnquist predeceased him.

Dave is fondly remembered for his size, both physical and his outsized personality, embodied in his nickname, “Big Dave” and his big laugh. Dave had a habit throughout his life of being in the middle of significant and sometimes bizarre events. His favorite stories including being present at the arrest, at a Daytona Bar, of Florida serial killer Lee Wuornos, later portrayed by Charlize Theron in the 2003 movie “Monster”. He was also Dale Earnhardt Sr.’s driver when he was in the Daytona area for races at Daytona Speedway and was on pit row when Dale Earnhardt was killed in a crash at the Daytona 500 in 2001. He later drove a number of other drivers to the hospital after the race. Other stories included working as a piano mover (think Laurel and Hardy) and numerous truck driving incidents which Dave miraculously survived without a scratch.

Dave will be fondly remembered by his friends and relatives and everyone who worked with or knew him. Bon Voyage Big Dave.

David Gregory Turnquist (July 6, 1951 – March 6, 2021) David Turnquist passed away in his sleep in his home in Richmond, CA on March 6th 2021 from complications of prostate cancer. David was born in Duluth, MN on July 8, 1951 to Mary Fitzgerald Turnquist and Capt. James Edwin Turnquist. His father was aContinue Reading

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Linda thanks for taking the time to contact me about Daves passing. I loved the man and will always miss him.

My sincere condolences to Linda, Jeff and Rusty on your loss. My prayers are with you all.

Dave, you were a big brother from another mother! After our Dad passed you comforted all the Lussier’s with empathy and wisdom. You filled a void when I was growing up: helping my Mom, taking me to your club football games (and telling me when a trick play was about to happen!), letting me “borrow” loose change so I could go to the 7-Eleven to buy Wacky Packs to keep up with my friends, and teaching me how to change the exhaust on the Volkswagen. Those are indelible memories. Thank you and may you rest In peace.

We are lifting the entire family up in prayer!?. RIP Dave. May your soul and all the souls of the faithful departed Rest In Peace.

Big Dave - You leave a big space behind. I only found one old picture, thank you, Chris for posting more. All my memories of Dave are good ones. Think Pitcher House. Think rebuilding the engine on the Impala. Think about his own powerful rides. He's driving a big block hot rod somewhere tonight!

Peace of mind is a call away. We’re here when you need us most.

My condolences to the Turnquist family. So sorry to lose such a character as Big Dave. I truly will miss him. See link to iCloud to view some photos in my collection of Dave over the years: Dave Turnquist Slide Show: https://www.icloud.com/sharedalbum/#B0nGrq0zwGNlbgX

LINDA, MY THOUGHTS TO YOU; HIS LIFE WAS TOO SHORT. -TIM

Please accept our deepest condolences for your family's loss.