U. Machias Online
NATHAN TURK STORIES
For those who knew him...

May 5, 2000

"We received this email from Nathan's cousin and want to share it with you ..."

     My name is Andrew Turk.  I am one of Nathan's cousins. My father
Warren is Murray's brother.  As you are no doubt aware we are a very
close family and the loss of Nathan is, and will always be,
an absolute heartache.

Nathan obviously made a big impact over there, as he did here in Australia,
and what I am doing is putting a "Memories Book" together.  Input from
Maine would be good.  If you can get anyone to "put pen to paper",
please do it.
Write about your times and memories with Nathan.
aturk@OZEMAIL.COM.AU
Submitted by staff members Penny Foss and Wayne Lobley

** U. Machias Online would like to add the memories you have for Andrew **
to this site as well.  When sending an email to Australia please also
send a copy to U. Machias Online.  To that end, please use the
following link.
mailto:aturk@OZEMAIL.COM.AU;%20ummstudentnewspaper@hotmail.com

Man sentenced in hit-and-run death of student
By Diana Graettinger of the NEWS Staff
Taken from the September 14, 2000 edition of the Bangor Daily news, page B1

ST. STEPHEN, New Bruswick
 The girlfriend of a University of Maine at Machias student struck by a hit-and-run driver told a court
Wednesday she tried to resuscitate the l9-year-old as he lay beside a road until she realized he was
dead.
 Then she kissed him goodbye.
 "My face, hands, hair and clothes were covered with blood when I got to the hospital," said Jamie Call,
who had had emergency preparedness training.  “All I could say is Nathan is dead."
 Nathan Turk's girlfriend offered her statement Wednesday before a Provincial Court judge, who
sentenced Richard Paul Nason, 27, of St. Stephen to one year in jail for the hit-and-run incident.
Judge David Walker also suspended Nason's driver's license for three years.
 Call and Turk were walking along Milltown Boulevard in St. Stephen, across from Calais, Maine,
about 3 a.m. March 26 when a van struck Turk from behind and left the scene without stopping.
Call, from Baileyville, Maine, was unin-jured.  Nason was arrested two days after the accident.
 Wednesday's sentencing was an emotional day for the Turk family, who are from Australia, as well
as for his friends from UMM, where he was a freshman.  He had gone to St. Stephen with his roommate,
Corey Fleming, to visit Fleming's parents.  The Flemings also were in the courtroom Wednesday
 Turk's father, Murray told the judge, "We are still numb that our son is dead."  He went on to describe a
young man who was a winner and every parent's dream child.  He also read a statement from Turk's
11-year-old sister, Jessica, who poignantly described how it felt to lose her brother.
 The Turk family has been in the United States for about a week, Turk's mother, Sue, did not attend
the court hearing.
 St. Stephen police arrested Nason after they received a tip that the 1985 GMC van involved in the incident
was parked on the Chan-nel Block Road.
 Last week, UMIM held the first Nathan C. Turk Memorial Basketball Game to raise money for a scholarship.
The Turk family attended a special ceremony to retire Turk's basketball jersey.
 Crown Prosecutor Randy DiPaolo said evidence was found at the scene, including paint chips and parts
from a car mirror which tied the accident to Nason.  He said Nason apparently took his vehicle to a friend's
house after the accident and removed the mirrors in an effort to cover up his role in the accident
 Nason told his family the day of the accident that he had been involved.  Family members urged him to
turn himself in, but he did not.
 Two days later police, acting on a tip, found the van and arrested Nason.  He admitted to police he
had struck the UMM student.
 DiPaolo said Turk's injuries included a large gash on the back of his head and trauma to the right side
of his body including abra-sions to his buttocks, right shoul-der and cheek. An autopsy revealed Turk died
of a massive skull frac-ture.
 The prosecutor said  that although it was a foggy misty night, police found no skid marks at the scene.
The crown prosecutor also said that although Nason had been ordered not to drive, he had been seen
driving since the accident.
 Nason's attorney Theodore Wil-son of Saint John, New Brunswick, said his client was a responsible man
who had a common law wife and three children, ages 6, 4 and 3 months.
 He read a letter from Crystal Scott, Nason's live-in companion, who said he was a hard worker and a good
father to his children. "He loves them and spoils them," she wrote.
 Scott wrote that Nason cried after the accident and said he wished he had stopped.  But she said he told
her he was scared and wor-ried that the Turks considered him a murderer: Scott wrote that Nason "took one
precious life and scared many more."  She said he never meant to harm anyone.
 Nason's attorney said he believes Turk fled because he did not have car insurance.  He denied that
his client changed the mirrors on his van and said he did not know who did.  He also told the judge that
Nason was blind in one eye and had difficulty seeing at night.
 Throughout the morning hear-ing, Nason sat with his arms clutched to his chest. When the judge asked
him if he had anything to say Nason did not look at the Turks or any of the victim's friends when he said:
"I am very sorry. …  This has taken an awful toll on me, too.  I can't sleep or eat."
 During his analysis of the case, Judge Walker said he had to take into consideration a number of facts.
He said it was clear that nei-ther Turk nor his girlfriend had anything to do with the accident.  He said
although there was no evi-dence of excessive speed, there was evidence that Nason tried to cover up
the accident when he replaced the mirrors on his van.
 The judge said he also had to take into consideration the fact that Nason pleaded guilty and took
responsibility for his actions.  He described Turk as a "remarkable" young man who would have
accomplished great things.  He said Nason's actions and the fact he left the scene were important factors
in his sentencing decision. He also said he considered the fact that Nason continued to drive after the
accident even though he was ordered not to by the court.

WOODLAND HIGH SCHOOL DONATES $1,000
TO THE NATHAN TURK MEMORIAL SCHOLARSHIP FUND
FRESHMAN FROM AUSTRALIA WAS POPULAR STUDENT
AT THE UNIVERSITY OF MAINE AT MACHIAS
MAY 26, 2000
 

Student organizations and members of the faculty and student body at
Woodland High School donated $1,000 to the Nathan C. Turk Scholarship Fund
during an assembly Friday, May 19.
The donation was presented to Dr. James Breece, UMM’s interim president,
in the memory of Nathan Turk. Turk was a 19-year-old freshman at the UMM campus
who died March 26 after being struck by a hit-and-run driver in St. Stephen,
New Brunswick.
Breece was at the high school in Baileyville to meet administrators and teachers
and discuss post-secondary educational opportunities with students. Traveling to
area high schools to share views on higher education has been a priority for
the interim president since he came to the Machias campus
on January 1.
Dr. Craig King, principal of Woodland High School, said the school was pleased
to have Breece address the student body because of Woodland’s historic ties
with UMM.
"We have always had a warm relationship with the university," he said. "Many of our
students have gone on to Machias to continue their studies. In addition, some of our
teachers are UMM graduates and we have had many student teachers from Machias in
our classrooms."

Dorothy Johnson, guidance counselor at Woodland High, echoed Principal King’s
sentiments.  As president of the UMM Alumni Association, she said a deep bond
exists between the high school and the University of Maine at Machias. Johnson
graduated from the University of Maine at Machias in the
class of 1969.
Susan Palmer, UMM’s director of development, said Woodland High School’s
generous donation will enhance the scholarship in the name of Nathan Turk and
allow an even larger scholarship to be made available each year to a worthy
student. The University of Maine System’s Board of Trustees will act on a proposal
in the near future to officially create the
Nathan Turk Memorial Scholarship.
The Nathan Turk memorial fund was started only days after his death.
Administrators, faculty, students and student organizations at UMM made
substantial contributions to the fund and those contributions continue,
Palmer said.
On March 28, Tricia Carver, president of the senior class at Jonesport-Beals
High School, wrote to principals and senior class presidents in schools across
the county, urging their support.  Carver’s class was among the first to
donate to the fund.
"As a senior class, we realize this [donation] can no way take away any grief or
pain this is being felt about this tragic event.  We do, however, feel that we
should honor such a wonderful young man,"
Carver wrote.
Local organizations, businesses and individuals have also contributed to the
fund demonstrating the strong community support in the
Washington County area.
Nathan Turk was the son of Murray and Sue Turk of Canberra, Australia and
had a younger sister, Jessica. He came to UMM in the fall of 1999 to enroll
in the elementary education program and had expressed an interest in pursuing
a major in physical education or recreation management.  He enjoyed teaching
and was working with Mrs. Vaughn’s fifth-grade class at the Rose M. Gaffney
Elementary School in Machias.
The Australian played guard for the UMM Clippers basketball team and was
involved in other campus activities. At home, he enjoyed sports like rugby,
cricket and basketball.

SCHOLARSHIP IN MEMORY OF UMM STUDENT NATHAN TURK
TO BECOME ENDOWED SCHOLARSHIP
MAY 23, 2000

A scholarship in memory of Nathan Turk has reached $3,500 in gifts
and pledges according to Susan Palmer, Director of Development
at UMM.
Nathan Christopher Turk, a student at UMM, was killed on Sunday,
March 26, 2000 in St. Stephen, New Brunswick-Canada after being struck
by a hit and run driver. He was the son of Murray and Sue Turk of Canberra,
Australia and he had one younger sister Jessica. He was enrolled in the
elementary education program at UMM and enjoyed working in the
classroom with young people. He was especially fond of Mrs. Vaughns’
fifth grade class at the Rose Gaffney School in Machias and was a
frequent visitor to the class even after his academic program
was complete.
UMM plans to present the scholarship as a named and endowed scholarship
to the University of Maine System Board of Trustees later this year.
The interest generated from the principal investment, generally about 5%,
is made available annually for awarding of endowed scholarships to deserving
students, the principal remaining intact so that the scholarship remains
in perpetuity.
At the Annual Convocation held earlier this year, UMM of 2000 contributed over
$600 to the scholarship in memory of Nathan Turk. Faculty, staff, students,
alumni, and friends of UMM have all contributed to the scholarship as well
as various student groups and community members.
Individuals or groups interested in making a gift to the Nathan Turk Scholarship
may do so by sending contributions to the Development Office, 9 O’Brien Avenue,
Machias, Maine 04654.

FLOWERING CHERRY TREE PLANTED
IN MEMORY OF UNIVERSITY OF MAINE AT MACHIAS STUDENT
NATHAN TURK

Over 150 students, faculty, staff and friends gathered together to plant a
flowering cherry tree on April 13 in memory of Nathan Turk. The tree has a
prominent location next to the Center for Lifelong Learning at the
University of Maine at Machias campus.

Turk, a native of Australia, was a University of Maine at Machias freshman
in the elementary education program and played on the UMM Clipper Basketball
Team as a guard. He was killed on Sunday, March 26, 2000 in St. Stephen, New
Brunswick-Canada after being struck by a hit and run driver. He would have
celebrated his twentieth birthday on April 13, 2000.

Interim President Breece, liken the sunny cheerful day to Nate's "way of
being" and the strong breeze to knowing he was there with us "in spirit".
Corey Fleming, Nathan's college roommate and close friend, encouraged
everyone to nurture and care for the tree stating, "that it should be a
living reminder of how Nathan touched everyone's life at the campus."

Nearly everyone present, including members of Mrs. Vaughn's fifth grade
class at the Rose Gaffney School in Machias, aided in the planting of the
tree by adding nutrients and soil to the planting hole and firming the soil
around the roots. A temporary sign, which will be replaced later with a
permanent marker, was placed at the base of the tree. The sign read simply,
"Nathan Turk - His Spirit Lives on . Yesterday, Today and Tomorrow."

A scholarship in memory of Nathan Turk has reached $1,527 in gifts and
pledges according to Susan Palmer, Director of Development at the University
of Maine at Machias. Individuals or groups interested in making a gift to
the Nathan Turk Scholarship may do so by sending contributions to the
Development Office, 9 O'Brien Avenue, Machias, Maine 04654 or by calling
Palmer at (207) 255-1284.

SCHOLARSHIP IN MEMORY OF NATHAN TURK GROWS

A scholarship in memory of Nathan Turk has reached $1,527 in gifts and
pledges according to Susan Palmer, Director of Development at the University
of Maine at Machias.

Nathan Turk, a student at the University of Maine at Machias, was killed on
Sunday, March 26, 2000 in St. Stephen, New Brunswick-Canada after being
struck by a hit and run driver. Turk, was spending the weekend in St.
Stephen, N.B. at the home of his college roommate, Corey Fleming.

The University of Maine at Machias plans to present the scholarship as a
named and endowed scholarship to the University of Maine System Board of
Trustees when the fund reaches a minimum of $3,000. The interest generated
from the principal investment, generally about 5%, is made available
annually for awarding of endowed scholarships to deserving students, the
principal remaining intact so that the scholarship remains in perpetuity.

The senior class of Jonesport-Beals High School sent $500 for this
scholarship fund in memory of Nathan, and, by letter and example, they
challenged other Washington County schools to do the same in honor of an
outstanding student-athlete. Nate, as he was known on campus, played on the
UMM Clipper Basketball Team as a guard.

"Nate was a valued member of the campus community and will be missed by
individuals he touched both on- and off- the campus. This scholarship is a
fitting memorial and will further Nate's desire to help others achieve their
goals - perhaps another student with the desire and dedication to teach
children," said Interim UMM President, James Breece. Turk, a 19-year-old
freshman, was enrolled in the elementary education program at the University
of Maine at Machias and was a native of Canberra, Australia. He particularly
enjoyed teaching and working with Mrs. Vaughn's fifth grade class at the
Rose Gaffney School in Machias.

Nathan would have celebrated his twentieth birthday on April 13, 2000.

Individuals or groups interested in making a gift to the Nathan Turk
Scholarship may do so by sending contributions to the Development Office, 9
O'Brien Avenue, Machias, Maine 04654 or by calling Susan Palmer at (207)
255-1284.

UPDATE -- FATAL PEDESTRIAN HIT AND RUN -- NATHAN TURK

St. Stephen NB - St. Stephen NB police, acting on tip received from the public,
attended at a residence on the Channel Block Road on the evening of
March 27th, 2000.
At that residence police found a 1985 GMC van, beige in color,
which has been seized for further forensic examination.
St. Stephen Police have also arrested a 26 year old St. Stephen man
in relation to this investigation.
This man was arrested at another residence in St. Stephen,
at approximately 9:30 pm on March 27th, 2000.
The investigation is continuing and the man remains in police custody.

REPORT FROM: John MacCready, Chief of Police - St. Stephen, NB Canada

Submitted by
Wayne Lobley

A MEMORIAL SERVICE WAS HELD FOR NATHAN C. TURK

Tuesday, March 28 at the Reynolds Athletic Center on the UMM campus.

Nathan Turk, was a student at the University of Maine at Machias, who died Sunday, March 26, 2000
in St. Stephen, New Brunswick--Canada after being struck by a hit and run driver.
"We are all saddened by this loss and our thoughts and prayers go out to his family and friends at this time,"
said Interim University of Maine at Machias President, James Breece.

Contributions for a scholarship in Nathan's memory may be sent to the
UMM Development Office/Powers Hall, 9 O'Brien Ave., Machias, ME 04654.

Tragedy in St. Stephen
By: Stephanie F.
April 01, 2000

The lives of many people were changed earlier this week with the death of Nathan Turk.
Nathan was a 19-year-old exchange student from Canberra, Australia. Early Sunday morning,
he was struck by a vehicle while walking home. The accident ended fatally.

After going out Saturday night with a bunch of friends, Nathan and his girlfriend decided
to walk home. As they were walking, a vehicle struck Nathan and killed him instantly.
The vehicle, however, failed to stop.

Police worked relentlessly through Sunday and Monday, and after a tip from the public
on Monday night, police found the automobile responsible. Shortly after the recovery
of the vehicle, police then had a suspect. The name of the individual, who is a male,
has not yet been released. Police have sent debris from the scene to Fredericton for
testing to determine if they match with the vehicle in their possession.

There was a small memorial service held at the scene of the accident on Monday.
Tuesday night, a more formal service was held at the University of Maine at Machias,
were Turk was a student. His body was sent to Australia on Tuesday night.

Taken from the ST. STEPHEN HIGH SCHOOL web site at
http://www.highwired.net/Paper/Article/0,1269,1739-179511,00.html

POLICE ARREST ST. STEPHEN MAN
FATAL HIT--AND--RUN
By: Laura Haley

St. Stephen police arrested a 26-year-old St. Stephen man Monday night, in connection
with the fatal hit-and-run accident early Sunday morning.
Dead is Nathan Christopher Turk, from Canberra, Australia.  Turk would have celebrated
his 20th birthday April 13.  He was a student at the University of Maine at Machias.
Police say Turk was walking along the side of Milltown Boulevard, heading towards the
Milltown border crossing, with a female companion, 19-year-old Jamie Call of Baileyville
at about 1:52 a.m. when the incident occurred near 331 Milltown Blvd.  The vehicle was traveling
in the same direction, and did not stop or remain at the scene after the collision, according to
Police Chief John MacCready.
Following the incident, police launched an intensive search foe a light colored, older model
pickup truck, possibly a Chevrolet or GMC, and its driver.  To aid in the inquiry, police called in
accident reconstruction and investigation experts from the Fredericton RCMP and Saint John
Police Force, and asked for the public's help.
Acting on a tip from the public, police seized a beige 1985 GMC van that will be subjected to
forensic testing, on the Channel Block Road Monday evening.  They also arrested the
26-year-old in connection with their investigation at about 8:30 p.m. Monday night,
at a separate residence.
St. Stephen police would not release the name of the man, saying only that the investigation
is ongoing and the man remained in police custody as of Tuesday morning.
Anyone with information about the accident, relating to the vehicle or the driver is asked
to contact the St. Stephen Police Force at (506) 466-7792, or New Brunswick Crimestoppers
at 1-800-222-8477.
Turk was spending the weekend in St. Stephen at the home of his college roommate,
Corey Fleming, according to a press release from the University of Maine at Machias.
"We are all saddened by his loss and our thoughts and prayers go out to his family and friends
at this time," said Interim University of Maine at Machias President James Breece.
Turk was active in UMM sports such as rugby, cricket, and basketball.  He played guard on the
UMM basketball team, and was named Rookie of the Year by the Maine Athletic Conference.
He was the son of Murray and Sue Turk of Canberra, and he had one younger sister, Jessica.
Enrolled in the elementary education program, he was thinking about pursuing studies in physical
education or recreation management.  He worked as an assistant in Mrs. Vaughn's fifth grade class
at the Rose Gaffney School in Machias.

Taken from the March 30, 2000 issue of the CALAIS ADVERTISER

HIT AND RUN SUSPECT RELEASED
By: Laura Haley

A 26-year-old St. Stephen man arrested last week in connection with a fatal hit-and-run
accident that killed a University of Maine at Machias student, was released pending
a court date in May.
Nathan Christopher Turk, from Canberra, Australia, was killed while walking along Milltown
Boulevard towards the Milltown border crossing with a female companion.  The accident
happened at about 1:52 a.m. near 331 Milltown Blvd.  The vehicle was traveling in the
same direction, and did not stop or remain at the scene after the collision,
St. Stephen police said.
An intensive search for a light colored vehicle was launched following the incident, and
accident reconstruction and investigation experts from the Fredericton RCMP and Saint
John Police Force were called in.  The public was also asked to provide information
leading to apprehension of the person responsible.
Acting on a tip from the public, police seized a beige 1985 GMC van Monday evening,
and arrested the suspect at a different location.
Turk was spending the weekend in St. Stephen at the home of his college roommate, Corey
Fleming.  He was active in athletics at UMM, and as a basketball player was named
rookie of the year by the Maine Athletic Conference.
In recent days, bouquets of flowers have been placed in the lawn next to the site of the
fatal crash, in memory of Turk.

Taken from the April 6, 2000 issue of the Calais Advertiser

** U. Machias Online now has a link with the St. Croix Courier **
via reporter Chuck Brown.  He has supplied us with these
stories and will keep us updated in the future.
THANK YOU, Mr. BROWN!

Australian Student Killed in Milltown
Hit and Run Suspect in Custody
By: CHUCK BROWN
Courier Staff

ST. STEPHEN - Police have detained a suspect in the hit and run accident
that killed an Australian university student on Milltown Boulevard early
Sunday morning.
Forensic examination is expected to reveal whether they’ve found the van
that struck and killed Nathan Turk, 19, of Canberra, Australia. Turk was
a student at the University of Maine at Machias and was in St. Stephen
with friends for the weekend.
The accident occurred just before 3 a.m. Sunday when Turk was walking
west along Milltown Boulevard and was struck by a vehicle. The driver
left the scene and police spent Sunday and Monday searching for the
vehicle and its driver.
Police Chief John MacCready said Tuesday morning that police acted on a
tip Monday night and impounded a 1985 beige GMC van from a residence on
the Channel Block Road, just outside St. Stephen.
Forensic examination is being conducted on the van by the Fredericton
RCMP Identification Section, MacCready said. They are attempting to
determine whether debris found at the Milltown Boulevard accident site
matches the impounded van.
Following the seizure of the vehicle, police investigation led them to a
St. Stephen residence where they took a 26-year-old male into custody.
MacCready said the male has not been charged and his name cannot be
released. As of Tuesday morning the man remained in custody and the
investigation was continuing.

Victim will be missed
Mark Fleming, of St. Stephen, who called Turk his “fourth son,” said he
was a special young man, a good guy who loved St. Stephen and considered
it home.
Turk roomed with one of Mark and Susan Fleming’s sons, Corey, at the
University of Maine at Machias. He was a basketball star and, Mark
Fleming said,  a wonderful young man.
Friends said goodbye to Turk on Monday during a brief, emotional
gathering at the scene of the accident. They placed flowers and a
University of Maine Clippers basketball T-shirt at the side of the road.
The shirt was signed, “Nate, I’ll catch you on the hardwood another day.
I love you, Coach Lash.”
A memorial service will be held for Turk at the University of Maine at
Machias Reynolds Center at 6 p.m (ET), on Tuesday.

When a Young Life Ends, Friends are
Left Asking, ‘Why?’
By: CHUCK BROWN

While helicopters buzzed the clear blue sky searching the countryside
for the truck that killed Nathan Turk, friends gathered to say goodbye
in an emotional, informal ceremony Monday afternoon.
It was a beautiful, awful, painfully sad farewell that none of those
young people should have had to attend.  These things aren’t supposed to
happen.  Springtime nights aren’t supposed to end this way.  Young lives
aren’t supposed to end this way.
But somewhere in the darkness, hours after Saturday night drifted into
Sunday morning, Nathan Turk’s young life did end.  The University of
Maine student, who came here from Australia, was killed by a hit and run
driver while walking along Milltown Boulevard. And now those who knew
and loved him are struggling to answer the unanswerable question, why?
Mark Fleming, of Church Street, in Milltown, was a father figure for
Nathan who roomed with one of Fleming’s sons, Corey, at the university.
Fleming spoke to the Courier on Monday to let the town know what kind of
person Nathan Turk was.
He was a basketball star, a rookie of the year who had his sights set on
a scholarship in North Dakota.  His talents on the hardwood brought him
to America and fate brought him to St. Stephen and the open, loving home
of Mark and Susan Fleming.
When Turk arrived at UMM he roomed with Corey Fleming and almost
immediately became an unofficial member of the clan.
“He was my fourth son,” Mark Fleming said. “He called me Dad and I told
him, I don’t want that responsibility.”
The 28-year police veteran said he’s experienced horrors throughout his
career but nothing could prepare him for the unexpected death of Nathan,
a kid Fleming said was as good as they come.  He was kind, respectful,
loved kids and was a heck of a ball player, Fleming said, struggling to
get the words out and, like others, full of questions.
“Who could predict that a kid from Canberra, Australia would be killed
in Milltown, New Brunswick?” he said.
It’s a thought on the minds of many in this town and everyone whose
lives were touched by Nathan.
Fleming called Nathan a “vibrant young man who called St. Stephen his
home.” And he said this community has rallied around the family since
Nathan’s death.
Just days before the accident, Fleming said he sat with Nathan at the
Fleming home where they were relaxing, listening to a little Van
Morrison music, and Nathan said, “We’ve got it made, haven’t we.”
They both felt like they really did have it made.  Nathan with a bright
future, a basketball dream and a great life in a strange land. Fleming,
with three, now four, grown sons, and a comfortable life as a retired
RCMP sergeant in the little town of St. Stephen.
Making the loss even more difficult, said Fleming, is that Nathan and
his friends were good kids, responsible young people who had the
foresight to leave their cars at home when they went out on the town.  On
Saturday night, they all took cabs from Milltown to downtown. Most of
the group took cabs home too, except Nathan and his girlfriend, who
decided to walk home to steal a little more time together, away from the
crowds, on the dark, quiet sidewalks of a small town.
“They did everything right,” Fleming said, shaking his head.
Fleming also spoke of the invisible bond he had with the Turk family.
Nathan’s dad, Murray, is a cop in Australia. He had also just returned
from a peace keeping mission in East Timor. Even living worlds away,
police officers are linked by the common threads of their duty to serve
and protect. And on awful nights like Saturday, as Fleming experienced
many times himself, to deliver the worst news possible to parents.
Fleming said there is something else about Nathan that reveals his
character, his innate goodness. He loved Fleming’s granddaughter,
Claire, and used to ask to see her every chance he could.  It’s not
typical of 19-year-old boys to bond with little kids but, Fleming said,
he just loved her. He figures she reminded Nathan of his own sister,
10-year-old Jessica, who he left back in Australia and missed like
crazy.
But even without knowing anything about Nathan Turk, if you had
witnessed his friends on Monday, summoning all their strength to return
to the scene of the accident, you would get a hint at the sort of person
he was.  The group of friends bravely placed flowers on the spot where
their friend died, a spot they would pass by every time they came to St.
Stephen.  Young men and women, normally strong, young, invincible, were
shaken, moved to tears, some of them unable to do anything more than
collapse on the ground and weep for their lost friend.
On Tuesday evening a more formal service will be held at the university,
at 6 p.m. (ET) at the Reynolds Center.
Nathan Turk’s body will be flown home to Australia on Tuesday and is
expected to arrive there on Wednesday or Thursday.

COPYRIGHT CHUCK BROWN
March 28, 2000
For reprint permission, contact chuck@nbnet.nb.ca

 SCHOLARSHIP

In regard to the scholarship being established in memory of our student
Nathan Turk, I wanted you all to know that the Development Office has received
$1,527 to date for this purpose.  Thank you all.  We will plan to present this named
and endowed scholarship to the University of Maine System Board of Trustees when the
fund reaches a minimum of $3,000.  The interest generated from the principal investment,
generally about 5%, is made available annually for awarding of endowed scholarships
to deserving students, the principal remaining intact so that the scholarship remains in
perpetuity.
You will be interested to know that the senior class of Jonesport-Beals High School sent
$500 for this scholarship fund in memory of Nate, and, by letter and example, they
challenged other Washington County schools to do the same in honor of an
outstanding student-athlete.
By virtue of this e-mail to "all", I would appreciate faculty and staff sharing this
current news of the scholarship fund with UMM students.  Thank you.

Submitted by Wayne Lobley as a forward from Susan Palmer.