Professor of Anthropology David Turkon passes away

By Claire Gleitman, July 19, 2022

We are deeply saddened to share the news of the recent passing of David Turkon, Associate Professor in the Department of Anthropology.

Professor Turkon first arrived at Ithaca College as an assistant professor in 2005 and he received tenure in 2009. In addition to serving as chair of Anthropology, Professor Turkon was a longstanding and highly dedicated member of both the H&S Faculty Senate and Faculty Council. His extensive research on Lesotho, in South Africa, engaged such topics as political factionalism and inequality, HIV/AIDS prevention, food insecurity, and community development. Professor Turkon received nine Certificates of Honor for his outstanding service to Anthropology and African Studies from the Association for Africanist Anthropology. At IC, he taught a great range of courses on topics pertaining to African ethnology, religion, and racial relations, as well as in the field of environmental studies. Professor Turkon will be remembered as an impassioned and outspoken advocate for both faculty and students, and he will be greatly missed by all who knew him. 

Professor Turkon's obituary.