Born July 8, 1983, in Wurzburg, Germany into an Army family, Frank grew up in Germany, Illinois, Kansas, Hawaii, Washington, Pennsylvania, and Virginia.
Frank graduated from West Potomac High School in Alexandria, VA in 2002, and then from the United States Military Academy at West Point, NY in 2006. He served as an Engineer Officer in the US Army with the 1st Cavalry and 1st Armored Divisions. Frank served two combat tours in Iraq and one in Afghanistan. His awards included the Army Commendation Medal (w/ 3 oak leaf clusters), the Navy Commendation Medal and both the Iraq and Afghanistan Campaign Medals. After leaving the Army, Frank worked for Knowledge Point in Abu Dhabi, UAE, developing doctrine for, and training the Emirati Land Forces. Later he worked as a Quality Control Engineer for Selee Corp in Hendersonville, NC and as a Project Manager for Meridian Corp in Charlotte. Since 2021, Frank led F4 Properties LLC, a real estate investment venture, as President and CEO.
Frank met his beloved future bride, Lena, while in Abu Dhabi. They married in February 2016, in Lena’s beautiful hometown of Ljusdal, Sweden.
Frank always set the bar high for himself, relentlessly striving to achieve great things his whole life. Early on, he was recognized as Student of the Year for his elementary school. In high school he played football, wrestled, and rowed crew. He received the Coaches Award, honoring the most dedicated, steadfast teammate, in six of the 12 athletic seasons he participated. He was an Eagle Scout. Frank was a natural leader by example and the moral compass for his peers.
He personified the expression “mind over matter”. Frank taught us to focus on our objectives, and not the obstacles in life. He started with simple examples of overcoming broken arms and legs in elementary school. Soon he’d move on to dislocating his shoulder several times in high school and at West Point. Later, he suffered heat stroke at Airborne School. But still he persisted… even the hospitalization from a brown recluse spider bite in the Sapper Leaders Course couldn’t stop Frank. So, in 2019 when emergency treatment for a stroke revealed glioblastoma and a grim prognosis, Frank kept moving forward.
After diagnosis and despite all odds, Frank would go on to run many road races, two marathons and a 50-kilometer race. When he could no longer run, he took up cycling. He raised thousands of dollars riding his bike 150 miles over 24 hours to support Charlotte’s 24 Foundation at this year’s 24 Hours of Booty.
Frank, the engineer, could solve all things mechanical. As his tumor progressively claimed his motor skills, he had no use for despair or self-pity. Rather, he almost welcomed the new challenges, working patiently to create new ways of accomplishing previously routine tasks.
Frank was a friend to everyone. His quiet humility tempered his witty and hilarious sense of humor. Not really known to be a talker, his words were profound and inspiring. When he did speak, people listened. He didn’t tell us how to live - he showed us. His extended family was (and is) his international groups of supporters in his running, cycling, brain cancer, and lifetime-friend communities, who looked forward to his monthly inspirational updates. Frank always ended his updates on a positive note with his plan moving forward.
Frank’s was a life well lived. He was a man of great faith working each and every day to fulfill God’s purpose. Though 40 years were not near enough, he lived every single minute because he could. He dreamed, planned and worked towards his goals constantly - until his final day on earth. In his words… Keep Moving Forward. May Frank’s beautiful life and example remind us all to keep moving forward.
He is survived by his wife, Lena Hasselberg, of Charlotte; his parents MG (Ret) Frank D. Turner III and Michal L. Turner (McClease) of Charlotte; his sisters and best friends Tara Stratton (COL (Ret) John), Tonia Horton (LTC (Ret) Matthew), and Elizabeth Norton (SFC George); and his nieces and nephews Nathaniel, Jack, Lillian, Lila, Maddie, and Liam.
Services are planned for January 6, 2024 at St Martin’s Episcopal Church, 1510 E. 7th St, Charlotte, NC 28204. A viewing in the church parlor will begin at 9:30am, with the funeral service starting at 11:00am. A reception will follow in the church Fellowship Hall. Interment will be at Arlington National Cemetery at a later date.
Burial will be on Monday, May 6, 2024 at West Point Cemetery, West Point, NY at 10:00 AM.
Frank passionately supported and raised awareness of several cancer research and support organizations. In lieu of flowers, the family asks friends to consider donations in Frank’s honor to the following charities: 24Foundation (24foundation.org) and Glioblastoma Foundation (glioblastomafoundation.org).
Frank’s family expresses their deep appreciation and respect for the care he received from his medical team, particularly those at Levine Cancer Center.
Online condolences may be shared at www.mcewenpinevillechapel.com.
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