Memorial fund established for legendary promoter of the outdoors

LINCOLN — Whether it was teaching hunters how to call-in turkeys, telling fishermen how to catch a catfish or explaining how to fashion ice-fishing gear out of everyday household items, Dick Turpin was always promoting Nebraska’s outdoors.

Now, Nebraskans can donate to continuing programs aimed at connecting young people and others to outdoor activities.

The Nebraska Game and Parks Commission, where Turpin worked for 40 years, announced this week the creation of the “Dick Turpin Outdoor Education Memorial Fund” to support hunter education and outdoor education programs across Nebraska.

Turpin, who died in February at age 84, worked in outdoor education for the game commission, as well as serving as a game warden and eventually, as head of the law enforcement division.

 “If there was an outdoor education workshop, Turpin probably, over the years, did it,” said Greg Wagner, a senior public information officer for the commission based in Omaha.

And, Wagner said, workshops done by Turpin were usually filled up due to Turpin’s skill in spinning a yarn.

Jana McGuire, Turpin’s daughter, said the memorial fund will honor her father’s legacy by supporting activities he loved — education and events that got more families to enjoy Nebraska’s outdoors.

Wagner, who considered Turpin a mentor, said his old friend didn’t want a building named after him — “no one would come,” Turpin told Wagner.

Instead, he wanted something to continue hunter and outdoor education programs. Those include mentored youth hunts, opportunities for low-income families and scholarships for the “Becoming an Outdoors-Woman” workshops.

“Dick would be thrilled knowing the donations are providing opportunities for youth and adults of all ages and from all walks of life,” said Reenie Turpin, Dick’s wife.

To make a donation, visit the website Outdoornebraska.gov/turpinmemorialfund.