Pat Little-Upah AVHOFS President Class of 2014

We have had a hint of cooler weather to come these past few weeks.  I am sure everyone is ready for our beautiful Arizona winter.  After the summer respite,
October is always one of the busiest months for those involved in the veteran community as Veterans Day nears on November 11th. 

On October 13th at the Talking Stick Resort, we will once again be assisting Unified Arizona Veterans with the annual Induction Ceremony.  If you have not purchased your tickets, please go to their website at azuav.org  for purchase information and a link.  The Society is in charge of the morning VIP reception which is free to all AVHOFS members.  This is a closed reception for our membership, the inductees and their support person who will be recognized.  This is a great time to welcome our newest members and share a little about the Society.  The registration will be open at 7:30 A.M. with socialization and a continental breakfast at 8 A.M. followed by the 9-10 presentation to recognize the inductee and their support person. 

Our Funeral Honors and Memorial Flag Presentation are one of our most valued traditions.  I received a thank you letter from Carole Schneider in Tenn.  “Thank you so much for sending the beautiful flag.  It is now on our office wall.  Carl was a very special person, and he will be missed.”

On September 30th the Honors were done for Robert (Bob) Turpin class of 2015 by Dylan Delzatto and Ron Capek.  If you know of a member passing, please let us know ASAP.   If you have a personal connection with that member and would like to be part of the honors and presentation, please let us know.   When someone passes it can be very difficult for me to get in touch with the next of kin to make arrangements as their phone and email address that we have for the member is often cut off.  We are working on a form that we will send to each of you asking for the name of a contact person and contact information if you should pass or be incapacitated.  We will also include information that you can give to that person so that they know how to reach us if needed.  

I am pleased to inform you that Roy McClymonds is doing well after his surgery and is now continuing his rehabilitation at home.  Roy has done so much for the Society over the years as our Sargeant at Arms and keeper of the Country Store.  Roy will be taking a well-deserved break for the remainder of the year. 

On September 23rd many of our members attended the Southwest Veterans Chamber of Commerce and Foundation ball.  The theme was recognizing military families and the roles they play in supporting their loved ones and our country.  The Foundation’s key mission is to prevent Veteran Suicide.  Society member, Tom Sheets, (class of 2019) the Executive Director of the Chamber did a fantastic job as usual. 

If you attend a military event, snap a picture and do a brief write up that we can put in the Patriot. If you are involved in a project that supports our military and veterans let us and the membership know about it.   We are working on a new program to better recognize and support organizations in which our members are involved.   More to come about this program in a future edition.  

Another signature program for the Society is our Copper Awards to recognize a non-veteran, companies and organizations that have gone above and beyond to support our military and our veterans.  Please do not let this opportunity to thank those who have done so much to help us get the recognition that they deserve.  Nominations for the Copper Eagle and Copper Sword Awards close at the end of October.   You can access the nomination forms on our website.  Please do not nominate someone for more than one award which includes Unified Arizona Veterans Awards which are presented at the Patriotic Awards Luncheon along with the Society Awards.   We have tried to make this process as easy as possible.  If you have any questions or need assistance do not hesitate to contact me at patupah@gmail.com.

Some of the Members of the Arizona Veterans Hall of Fame Society and family who attended the Southwest Veterans Chamber of Commerce and Foundation Patriots Ball.

NOTE: Gordon James (Class of 2015) works with this organization.  Pat Little-Upah (Class of 2014) will be one of the Honorees at the Special Ceremony Honoring Local Veterans Heros. 

Tom Hessler AVHOFS Cochise County Chapter President

AVHOF inductees from Cochise County automatically become members of the Chapter.  There are no dues associated with Chapter membership.  Today there are currently 31 living inductees and 26 deceased members, for a total of 57.  About 3.6% of Arizona’s veteran population resides in Cochise County.  The Chapter’s 57 members represent about 11% of the total of AVHOF inductees.   

The Chapter is an active member or affiliate of the Greater Sierra Vista United Veterans Council (GSVUVC) and the Southern Arizona Veterans Memorial Cemetery Foundation (SAVMCF).  It is also somewhat associated with the Joint Service Clubs of Greater Sierra Vista (JSCGSV).

Most members are also members of veteran or veteran-related organizations like the VFW, VVA, AL, XPOW, DAV, AMVETS, MOAA, and WOA.  These are the organizations they are involved with in their daily lives.  The Chapter is different in that it does not conduct routine programs or meetings.  The Chapter is here to support its members and promote the Society and the AVHOF.  Tom Hessler (Class of 2007) is the current president.  There are no other officers.  The Chapter maintains a current roster of Chapter members and coordinates updates with the Society.  The Chapter also ensures that a certificate and an encased Arizona flag are presented to a deceased member’s family at funeral ceremonies.  The Chapter, particularly Tom, assists local veteran organizations in preparing their AVHOF nomination packets.  Tom also has a Society flag.  He annually appoints a Chapter member to present the flag, along with other organizations, during the annual Memorial Day ceremony at the Southern Arizona Veterans Memorial Cemetery in Sierra Vista.  A plaque with all members is displayed at the office of the Cochise Serving Veterans.

Jerry Wojtas AVHOFS Treasurer Class of 2011

Remember that last month I said that your Society has five other important programs where the budgeted costs total over $50,000 and those costs are covered through means other than your contributions.  Programs like Veterans Court, Maternity Outreach for Veteran Families, our Veterans Home Program, Employee Recognition of the VA Medical Center and last, but not least, our annual Patriotic Awards Luncheon.  To find out more about one or all of these programs, simply contact one of our board members.

ARIZONA VETERANS HALL OF FAME SOCIETY
4980 S. ALMA SCHOOL ROAD
STE. A2-619
CHANDLER, AZ 85248-5545

Above is the COMPLETE mailing address that should be used whenever you mail anything to our Society.  If you don’t use the STE. A2-619, which is our P.O. Box, we won’t get your mailing!  And below are the names of those who have contributed to the Century Club by our September press time.

BLACK- up to $100  GREEN - $101-$199   BLUE - $200-$299   RED - $300 and above GOLD - $400 and above

Request you let us know as soon as you know of an inductee’s passing.  If available, we would like to know the inductee’s name, date of passing, funeral and memorial service details, and a copy of the obituary.  Send notices to Pat Little-Upah at patupah@gmail.com.

Known members that have passed in the past twelve months.

Robert Turpin
Class of 2015

Robert (Bob) Turpin passed away at age 82 on September 7, 2023, in Phoenix, Arizona. He lived his life extremely proud of his service as a captain in the U.S. Navy, raising capital for various investments and supporting his clients, his Board of Director Memberships at many organizations across the valley, and his family. He was very involved in Valley Presbyterian Church as a prominent member of the choir, a deacon, an elder, and a foundation member.

Bob had a remarkable ability to make everyone around him feel valued and cherished. His generosity knew no bounds, and he was always there to help a friend or offer a word of encouragement. His wisdom was sought by many, and his lessons in life will continue to guide us. He was the patriarch of our family who told wonderful stories, had a great sense of humor, unshakable confidence, and an embrace that made you feel safe and loved.

Bob cherished his role as a grandfather, imparting his wisdom and values, and always being a source of endless support, guidance, and love. His absence will be deeply felt by all who had the privilege of calling him "Grandpa." Bob adored his wife, Polly, and was always incredibly proud of his children and grandchildren, speaking of their accomplishments with the highest regard and a little exaggeration.

Bob was born on March 9, 1941, in Evanston, Illinois to Harriet Leonard Turpin and William Turpin who lived in Elgin, Illinois along with his older brother Leonard and his younger sister Ann. Later, they moved to a farm in Woodstock, Illinois where he enjoyed the farm life and growing cord for the Jolly Green Giant. He went to high school at North Shore Country Day in Winnetka, Illinois where he participated in sports and discovered his love for music by singing in Gilbert and Sullivan musical productions, his favorite being the Pirates of Penzance.
After high school, Bob attended Coe College in Cedar Rapids, Iowa, where he met his wife, Alleene “Polly” Pollitz. While at Coe, he sang in the choir, played football, and was a member of the Sigma Nu fraternity. He earned his degree in both history and business administration. He later went to San Diego State College for his masters.

After graduating from Coe, Bob joined the U.S. Navy and attended Officer Candidate School in Newport, Rhode Island. He began his active service on the USS Galveston (CLG-3) in Japan and later spent three tours in the coastal waters of Vietnam during the Vietnam war. He continued his 31 year Naval career in the Navy Reserve and was promoted to Captain in 1980, retiring in 1994. He was most proud of his work with the Naval War College Foundation, the Joe Foss Institute, and many other military organizations. He was inducted into the Arizona Veterans’ Hall of Fame in 2015. His dedication to our country was inspiring and a testament to his character.

In 1970, Bob joined the Harris Bank in Chicago as a portfolio manager and was later sent to Scottsdale, Arizona to open the Harris Trust Company of Arizona as president. After leaving the bank in 1982, he co-started Turpin-Fischer Investment Advisors. He raised capital for various investments and community service organizations throughout his life.

Near the time of his death, when asked what the greatest lesson was that he learned from his life, he said, “Forgiveness. Learning how to forgive people when you see an injustice and being able to do it without pain or suffering. Just willing to forgive people.”

Bob is survived by his wife of over 58 years, Polly Turpin, his daughter Julie Turpin Dillon (Dave Darby), his son Scott Turpin (Hannah), his sister Ann Turpin Thayer, Becky & Mike Pollitz, and his grandchildren Ryan Dillon, Jake Dillon, Reed Dillon, and Charlotte Turpin.

Services: A celebration of life will be held Saturday, September 30th at 10 a.m. at Valley Presbyterian Church, 6947 E. McDonald Drive, Paradise Valley, AZ 85253.