Warren “Bud” Turner

Written by Belva Seaberry

Obviously enjoying himself, WARREN “BUD” TURNER engages in a long-time passion — making music, both playing and conducting regularly with the West Sacramento Community Orchestra. In addition, Bud has been a part of the Folsom Lake Symphony and the American Legion Concert Band. He is also a member of RSVP (Retired Senior Volunteer Program), which is sponsored by Sacramento County Department of Human Assistance. This multi-talented gentleman retired from teaching instrumental and vocal music in the San Juan School District some 16 years ago. A friend describes Bud as a “very good percussionist with a beautiful tenor voice.”

The MEALS ON WHEELS program has also been a part of Bud’s life for the last 15 years. In fact, he and his wife Jeannie make it a “couples act.” As she drives, he delivers meals to shut-in seniors every Wednesday morning. Bud points out that an additional and valuable function of Meals On Wheels drivers is to provide a check on frail clients—sometimes the only contact they might have that day. Bud says, “Yes, I always check on them and will investigate if they don’t answer the door.” Once when a client failed to answer, he luckily found the door open, entered and discovered the wheelchair-bound lady helplessly wedged between bathroom fixtures. Her voice was so feeble she couldn’t have been heard by someone at her front door. Thanks to Bud, his wife Jeannie, and Meals on Wheels, the worst did not happen that day.

Bud carries the same enthusiasm to his other volunteer activities. A resident of Rancho Cordova, he’s been a volunteer at the KAISER facility there since it opened 15 years ago. His duties at the Information and Blood Pressure Check Station include directing visitors, taking blood pressures, and escorting patients. A friendly man with an infectious chuckle, Bud greets everyone with a smile and goes out of his way to be helpful. At his post faithfully all day on Mondays, Bud says, “It’s my payback to medical science for favors rendered in the past.” He says, “All the staff appreciate the smallest thing you do. The job is definitely a pleasure.” A colleague says “Bud is a very generous man; ‘service’ is his middle name.”