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Rud Turnbull Obituary
Rud was a tireless advocate for disabled people and their families. He worked at the Institute (later School) of Government at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill from 1969-1980 and was a Professor of Special Education and Law at the University of Kansas from 1980-2014. With his wife, Ann Turnbull, he co-founded and co-administered the Beach Center, an internationally recognized research center focusing on disability and family. He was a much-respected professor and guided hundreds of graduate students through their paces with one of his favorite mottos: "Before the gates of excellence, the high gods have placed sweat." He retired as a Distinguished Professor from the University of Kansas in 2014. Rud was raised in Bronxville, NY and attended Kent School before moving onto to earning a B.A. at Johns Hopkins University, an Ll.B/J.D. from the University of Maryland Law School and an Ll.M. from Harvard Law School. Rud was a major contributor to a larger movement of creating more civil rights for disabled people. He wrote over 350 peer-reviewed books, articles, chapters and technical reports in twenty different areas of public policy and disabilities. He testified as an expert witness in Congress nearly a dozen times. He was the principal draftsman of the Federal Assistive Technology Act, the Federal Family Support Act, North Carolina disability law and Kansas disability law. He was a co-draftsman of the Individuals with Disabilities Act. He held many positions of leadership in the field including President of the American Association on Intellectual and Developmental Disability, Chairman of the Board of the Judge David L. Bazelon Center, Chairman of the Commission of Disability for the American Bar Association and national Secretary of The Arc, the country's primary advocacy organization for people with intellectual and developmental disabilities. He received innumerable awards from these professional associations and others. Rud and Ann were both selected by a consortium of seven national disability organizations at the turn of the century as 2 of the 36 people worldwide who "changed the course of history for people with intellectual and developmental disables in the 20th Century." His most precious role was as husband, father, and grandfather. He was led to disability advocacy work through the birth of his son, Jay Turnbull, who had autism, an intellectual disability and bipolar disorder. Rud fought for and dearly loved Jay who died in January, 2009. His wife, Ann Turnbull, was his partner in advocacy and partner in love. After working all week together at the Beach Center in their offices right next door to each other, their favorite thing to do on Friday night was to have a date with each other at their favorite table at their favorite restaurant. Their love was one for the ages. Rud was a dedicated, present and loving parent to his two daughters, Amy and Kate. Over the years he told magical bedtime stories, had sing-alongs in the car, helped with term papers and shared his love of art and literature. He delighted in his role as grandparent. His grandchildren called him "Old Bull" and he loved making jokes about bodily noises and recreating those precious bedtime stories. Services will be held at Chapel in the Pines in Chapel Hill, NC at 2:00p on Saturday, March 29. A lifestream will be available on their website. An additional celebration will be held in Lawrence, KS on Saturday, July 19th with more details to come. In lieu of flowers, please consider donating to the The Arc to support their national advocacy for people with intellectual and developmental disabilities. To support locally, please consider donating to the Chapel in the Pines in support of their Mission and Services Committee, particularly their work with disabled community members. He is survived by his wife, Ann Turnbull, his daughter Amy Khare, his son-in-law Rahul Khare, his grandchildren Dylan Khare, Maya Khare and Cameron Khare, his daughter Kate Turnbull and his son-in-law Chip Brookes. One final note: Rud was unaware in the last month of his life of the terrifying plans to dismantle the Department of Education which would cause searing harm to disabled people and their families. We can only imagine he would leave us with following marching orders: RAISE HELL. Condolences may be made at www.donaldsonfunerals.com Donaldson Funeral Home & Crematory is honored to serve the Turnbull family.
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Memories and Condolences
for Rud Turnbull
H Jane Rhys
August 18, 2025
Rud was my major professor on my doctorate! He was kind and generous with his time and also helped me in my job at the KS Dept of Education! I will never forget him and treasured his friendship!!
Jane Rhys
June 18, 2025
Rud was a friend and my major Advisor on my Ph. D.! I was once giving him and another friend rides home. The other friend had a disability and Rud insisted that he he into the very small back seat because the other friend had a disability! THAT was the kind of person Rud was!!
Pamela Shipman
March 31, 2025
Rudd was one of those rare people who made you feel like you had known him all your life. Connection with Rudd was immediate and enduring, even for those of us who did not have the chance to spend much time with him. He was the Pied Piper of the disability community. People followed him everywhere; everyone wanted to talk to him.
My first knowledge of Rudd was through his book The Law and the Mentally Handicapped in North Carolina, which was first published when I was in graduate school at UNC-CH studying Special Education. What a gift and a guide to budding professionals and advocates! Imagine my disappointment when he left to go to Kansas! Kansas?
Kansas gave Rudd and Ann the opportunity to build from the ground up, their vision for their son Jay, and for other people with disabilities! I once had the chance to visit the Beach Center in Kansas with Holly and professionals from North Carolina´s Medicaid Agency. While we were there, Rudd and Ann welcomed us to their home, as they must have done for so many over the years. I remember how I loved the red sofa on that red wall!
Rudd began his important work, inspired by his son, Jay, at the dawn of the development of community services and in particular inclusion of people with disabilities in the public school system. Beginning with the school system meant that there had to be services for adults, because what parent is going to institutionalize their adult child, after having them at home during their formative years? While there are many, many shortcomings in the system we have now, there were virtually no community services for children or adults when Rudd began his work.
Rudd published many, many articles and books. However, to me, the best testament to Rudd´s life his book The Exceptional Life of Jay Turnbull: Disability and Dignity in America 1967-2009, the story of Rudd and Ann´s son Jay, the challenges of raising him, and supporting him as an adult, in a world that was not in any way inclined or designed to offer a person with a disability the dignity he deserved. Through sheer determination they carved out a life for Jay, out of an environment that was at a minimum uninterested and sometimes even unwelcoming. I never knew them to be bitter or angry, and their actions made people see what is possible. Their kindness, patience, charisma, and leadership inspired the world around them and beyond.
I think I am glad Rudd did not know about the dismantling of the US Department of Education. It is heartbreaking to watch. However, the law still stands; and we have the law behind us, as we parents, professionals and advocates prepare to fight again for the rights of children and adults with disabilities if this becomes necessary. People with disabilities are not unique in their status as poor, struggling to find affordable housing, and in need of the purchasing power to buy necessities such as food and transportation. They are among the many Americans that are becoming more and more disenfranchised and left behind. Those of us who care about these Americans are many, and they need our help. We need to recognize our power and take action, or in the words of John Lewis: "Get in Good Trouble!" and of Rudd Turnbull: "RAISE HELL". I know that is what he would do. He will be deeply missed as we find our way into the future.
Steve Dillon
March 30, 2025
Ann, I'm so sorry to learn of Rud's death. I have many fond memories of him spanning 20+ years. He was a staunch supporter of the disabled, a loving husband and father, had a great sense of humor, among many other positive qualities. I have missed both of you since moving from Lawrence. My sincere condolences to you and all of your family
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Jamie Pettengill
March 25, 2025
A wonderful man who will truly be missed. RIP Mr. Turnbull.
Dorothy Johanning
March 25, 2025
Ann, Amy, and Kate, my deepest sympathy for your loss! Rud was such an incredible person and I´m sad to hear of his passing. It´s been many years since the start of the Beach Center and he changed the lives of many people with disabilities!
Jane Rhys
March 25, 2025
Rud was a great friend and colleague! Always willing to help and gave great advice! I will miss him very much in the coming years!
Jim Paul
March 25, 2025
The national disabilities community has lost a bright light, a wise voice, and a tireless advocate. My deepest sympathies Ann.
Jamie Pettengill
March 25, 2025
A very wonderful man who will be greatly missed. I had the opportunity to work for the Turnbull family for 29 years and watched the heartfelt representation for those with disabilities he presented. RIP Rud.
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