Turnbull

Contributed by Donald Turnbull

Wallace Rupert Turnbull (1870-1954) was born in Saint John in October of 1870 and moved to Rothesay in 1990 with his wife Mary and four sons Wallace, Davis Donald, and Hugh to establish his Consulting Engineering practice and lifelong residence. He began an intensive study of aeronautical science in 1902 which cumulated in his invention of the “ Variable-Pitch Propeller” in 1927. Mr. Turnbull also invented many of the emerging technologies of his day from cameras to automobiles. His last major undertaking was a design concept for a tidal power generating station to harness the Bay of Fundy tides. Aside from his professional accomplishments, Mr. Turnbull was an avid sailor, handball and tennis player. Throughout his life he was know as a modest, friendly gentleman. In his later years, he took great pleasure in promoting the game of tennis, in fixing toys and bicycles, and in shellacking hockey sticks for his grandchildren and their neighborhood friends.