Albert R. Turnbull ’59

Former associate dean for admissions and professor emeritus at the University of Virginia Law School, Al died Jan. 25, 2021.

Coming to Princeton from Exeter, Al majored in English, played freshman soccer and JV lacrosse, served on the Memorial Fund Drive, and presided at Colonial Club. His father having lost his business while Al was at Princeton, Al financed the remainder of his college and law school education by working summers on Mississippi River towboats. Graduating from UVA Law, Al clerked for two U.S. District Court judges, then worked at a Norfolk law firm when the dean of UVA Law School offered him the newly created position of associate dean for admissions. In that role he influenced and structured law school admissions nationally. In his 36-year career at UVA Al admitted more than 13,000 students. At his retirement his law school class honored him by re-dedicating its scholarship in his name. He was survived by his son, Albert W., and his brother, Ben ’61.

Al roomed at Princeton with Barth, Cleaves, Herdeg, Kelly, Okie, J.B. Powell, and T.R. Turnbull, who since graduation have joined together periodically for grand adventures. As Rolly Barth said in his eulogy for Al: “Alas when we next gather there will be an empty chair at the table. But it won’t be empty. It will be filled with stories, memories, experiences, love … and gratitude that our paths crossed.”