Robert 'Bob' Turner, 78, Longtime Charles City Resident and Artist, Passes Away

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Robert 'Bob' Turner, a longtime resident of Charles City, Iowa and a prolific artist known for his oil paintings, pastels, and ink drawings of Midwest landscapes and historical buildings, passed away on March 30, 2026 at the age of 78. Turner had a diverse career that included working as an international designer for 3M Company for 15 years and owning his own creative studio, Turner Concepts, in Mason City, Iowa.

Why it matters

Turner's passing marks the end of an era for the Charles City arts community, as he was a beloved local figure who dedicated decades to capturing the region's natural beauty and historic architecture through his artwork. His creative legacy will continue to inspire future generations of artists in the area.

The details

Turner first discovered his passion for art at the age of 5 and went on to study oil painting with a German artist in Pirmasens, Germany as a teenager. He produced over 200 oil paintings during his youth, focusing on landscapes and animal subjects. Later in his career, Turner created a large mural for The Red Lake Inn in Red Lake, Ontario and eight paintings of historical buildings and sites in Hastings, Minnesota. Most recently, he worked on ink prints of historical landmarks in Charles City and other Midwest-themed paintings.

• Robert 'Bob' Turner was born on April 8, 1947 in Charles City, Iowa.
• Turner graduated from Charles City High School in 1965.
• Turner worked as an international designer for 3M Company for 15 years.
• Turner owned his own creative studio, Turner Concepts, in Mason City, Iowa.
• Turner passed away on March 30, 2026 at the age of 78.

What’s next

A graveside service will be held at 10:00 a.m. on Friday, April 3, 2026, at Riverside Cemetery in Charles City.