Excerpted from the authorized biography of Thilo Hoffmann by Douglas B. Ranasinghe Thilo and his friend Guido Baumann often spent weekends at Thenaddi Bay, leaving Colombo on Friday evenings and returning to be back in office on time on Monday mornings. During the evening and early morning hours they managed the 178 miles (about 300 […]
He was born to George and Grace Turner, in Springfield, on Jan. 23, 1932.
Don graduated from the University of Illinoisâ School of Architecture in Urbana-Champaign.
On Jan. 31, 1953, he married his best friend and love of his life, Marilyn Hoyt. Marilyn preceded him in death.
After proudly serving for two years in the U.S. Army, the two of them established roots in Kankakee, where they raised their girls and Don established the architectural firm, Turner-Witt and Associates. His firm was known for designing hospitals, schools and commercial buildings throughout Illinois.
He was an active community member, serving as board president at the YMCA, a member of the Rotary Club, The United Way, Kankakee Country Club as well as the First Presbyterian Church of Kankakee.