Date: 5/31/25 4:17 pm From: <tgmiko...> via groups.io <tgmiko...> Subject: Re: [OrangeCountyBirding] [LACoBirds] Steve Turley.
Wow. Ouch. This is so shocking. Steve was one of those gigantic men who are
calm, gentle bears.
And super smart: knowledgeable about quite a variety of topics.
I'm going to miss him.
Thomas Geza Miko
Claremont, LA County
909.241.3300
On Sat, May 31, 2025, 12:41 Jim Moore via groups.io <moorebirder=
<gmail.com...> wrote:
> It brings great sadness to announce the death of our friend Steve
> Turley. Becky asked me to post this message as she is grieving and needing
> privacy. Steve died of a stroke last Monday while hospitalized and treated
> for blood clots.
> Steve was well known in our birding community and valued due to his sharp
> wit, large size, friendly smile and extraordinary birding skills. His
> Superman eyes always were the first to get on the bird. I was always
> amazed at his ability spot a bird 200 yards away without the aid of
> binoculars and tell us its location and species.
> Steve was taken much too soon. Born February 12, 1950. He was the second
> of four brothers. His entire life was a succession of exciting jobs. He
> started as a young man in the Air Force assigned to a weather
> reconnaissance crew who flew into hurricanes. From there he served over 20
> years as a Los Angeles police sergeant. When he retired, he became a golf
> pro. He often told stories about the many young people he taught and what
> good golfers they became. Added to this, Steve was also an avid bass
> fisherman competing in several tournaments often winning big prize money.
> And, he had time to become an outstanding birder. Debbie and I first met
> Becky in 2007 while chasing after a Greater Peewee in Griffith Park. She
> introduced us to Steve a few weeks later and this led to a friendship of
> many years, starting with a year end trip to Bosque del Apache, then
> twitching throughout the state or taking road trips to remote locations
> throughout the world. Most notable was 5 weeks together birding Australian
> top to bottom. And, there were many trips to Piute Ponds which would
> usually end at the 19th hole where we would stop on the way home at Maria
> Bonita’s for tacos, salsa, Blue Moon and a lot of laughs.
> He will be more than missed.
> Jim Moore
> Santa Clarita
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