H. Rutherford Turnbull, III—1937-2025
The eminent advocate for students with disabilities and their families passed away 17 March 2025
H. Rutherford Turnbull, III, who was noted for his advocacy and legal scholarship for individuals with disabilities, died at his home in Chapel Hill, North Carolina 17 March 2025. To many people who worked with him, he was simply known as Rud.
Although he was widely admired for his work on intellectual disability and families of students with disabilities, his focus for much of his career was on the legal aspects of disability and special education, including compliance with with the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA), procedural safeguards, and related services.
Rud received degrees from Johns Hopkins University (B.A., 1959), University of Maryland Law School (Ll.B., 1964), and Harvard Law School (Ll.M., 1969). After serving as a clerk for two judges, he worked for two different law firms in Maryland and then took a position at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill from 1969 through 1980. He moved to the University of Kansas where he was a professor in the Department of Special Education (which he led as chair for three years) and had a courtesy appointment in the law school. Although Rud worked in different capacities with many organizations, while he was with KU he was closely affiliated with the Beach Center, a research center focused on families with children with disabilities that he co-founded and co-directed with Ann P. Turnbull. He was the Marianna and Ross Beach Distinguished Professor Emeritus in Special Education in retirement.
A prolific author, Rud published hundreds of articles, monographs, chapters, and books. With Ann Turnbull, he authored a widely used introductory text for special education entitled, Exceptional Lives: Practice, Progress, & Dignity in Today's Schools (Turnbull et al., 2024, is the 10th and most recent edition) and Disability and the Family: A Guide to Decisions for Adulthood (Turnbull et al., 1989; revised repeatedly). He is also author of a special education law textbook, Free Appropriate Public Education: The Law and Children with Disabilities, with the seventh edition (2006) co-authored with Ann P. Turnbull, Matthew J. Stowe, and Nancy E. Huerta.
During his career Rud also served in other capacities and with organizations other than universities. He held offices in professional and advocacy organizations such as The Arc, the American Association on Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities, TASH, Judge David L. Bazelon Center for Mental Health Law, and the American Bar Association. During a sabbatical from the University of Kansas (1987-88), he was principal staff member on the United States Senate Subcommittee on the Handicapped when the federal Assistive Technology Act was added to the IDEA.
Rud has been widely recognized for his lifelong contributions to the fields of special education, disability advocacy, and public service. Beginning with his early awards for distinguished service from organizations such as the North Carolina Developmental Disabilities Council and the American Association on Mental Retardation, his awards span multiple decades. His work has been honored by national organizations, including The Arc of the United States, the Council for Exceptional Children, and the American Association on Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities. He has received numerous lifetime achievement and leadership awards, including the prestigious Century Award for his influence on disability advocacy and parent empowerment. His contribution to special education policy was recognized through invitations to White House and Congressional receptions marking key legislative milestones, and he served as a keynote speaker for the 40th anniversary celebration of the IDEA.
In addition to his substantial academic accomplishments, Rud was also concerned about the lives of people with disabilities and their families. Professor Sean J. Smith, a colleague of Rud’s at KU, remembered when his son with Christine Smith was born. The child, Nolan, has Down syndrome. Professor Smith said, “Within three weeks of Nolan’s birth, Rud said, ‘You need to meet this couple,’ and he introduced us to the parents of another child with Down syndrome.” The families connected and remain in close touch more than 20 years later. “And along the way, as we dealt with the school system, etc. Rud was right there. We’re probably just one of 100s of families whom Rud helped in a very practical way.”
David Bateman, co-author of this post, studied as a graduate student with Rud and, added this comment: “Students with disabilities are in a better place because of Rud’s work. I learned a lot from him as his student and have tried to share that knowledge with as many people as I can.”
Rud is survived by Ann P. Turnbull, his wife and long-time collaborator, and their children Amy Khare and Kate Turnbull. The Turnbull’s son, Jay Turnbull, died in 2009 at age 41.
There will be a celebration of life on Saturday 29 March 22025 at 2p at the Chapel in the Pines Presbyterian Church in Chapel Hill, NC with a reception to follow. There will be another celebration in Lawrence, KS, on Saturday 19 July 2025. If you would like to be informed about the details of the Lawrence celebration, please email weloverud@gmail.com. Please also read the obituary published 21 March 2025 by Donaldson Funeral Home & Crematory.
Note: This article was updated 23 March 2025 to include the link to the obituary and memorial services.—JohnL
References
Turnbull, A. P., Wehmeyer, M. L., Shogren, K. A., Burke, M. M., & Turnbull, III, H. R. (2024). Exceptional lives: Practice, progress, & dignity in today's schools (10th ed.). Pearson.
Turnbull, III, H. R., Turnbull, A. P., Bronicki, G. J., Summers, J. A., & Roeder-Gordon. C. (1989). Disability and the Family: A guide to decisions for adulthood. Brookes.
Turnbull, III, H. R., Turnbull, A. P., Stowe, M. J., & Huerta, N. E. (2006). Free appropriate public education: The law and children with disabilities (7th ed.). Love.
Thanks for this Dr. Lloyd and David.
Professor Turnbull (Rud) was one of my first professors at KU as I began my doctoral program. All first year students took Special Education Law. On the first day of class Rud declared the classroom we were assigned to be "too cold" and class from then on would meet at his and Professor Turnbull's (Ann) flat downtown - Having spoken in years since to other cohorts it turns out JRP was perpetually "too cold" and this was one of the many special things he liked to do for his students - Classic Rud. To spend a semester sitting on the couch and hearing stories about the history of the legal arm of our field from a man who lived and shaped much of it was an experience I will never forget. After each class he would break out the sherry and have additional conversations about a range of topics as he got to know his students. In my own work mentoring and teaching doctoral students I try and treat them the way Rud treated us - as equal professionals all seeking the same positive outcomes for students with disabilities and their families.
Although I was not a Beach Center student, I encountered Rud and Ann at multiple junctures during the remainder of my doctoral program. Rud was an avid Johns Hopkins lacrosse fan, and being from Syracuse, we would either watch or at minimum discuss the annual Cuse-Hopkins game. In spending this time I had the privilege of getting to know Jay - the well documented muse for Rud and Ann. Their love and advocacy also inspired me and is a guiding memory in my own journey in this space.
I will miss Rud, but lions of his caliber are rare, and thus transcend this world to leave a lasting legacy.
Thank you for such a beautiful tribute to a great person. His legacy will forever influence our approachs to special education and advocacy for the individuals we serve.