Back To Our Roots
Before our founder Bob Turner started RLTurner Corporation with a truck and a toolbox, he was a student at Purdue University. While earning his bachelor’s degree in civil engineering, he also served in ROTC and was a member of the Acacia Fraternity.
After graduation and serving two tours in the Vietnam War, he maintained strong ties to his alma mater. As a testament to his Boilermaker pride, he was a lifetime member of the Purdue Alumni Association, the John Purdue Club, and the Purdue Presidents Council.
So, when Acacia sought a contractor to update their house, they reached out to the company that bears his name—and we were happy to return to our late founder’s roots and fulfill their request.
“Bob was a fraternity brother of mine back in the early ’60s. We lived about 20 miles apart on farms east of Purdue, so we would share rides home,” said Tom Smith, Purdue Acacia housing board member. “When we were looking for a general contractor to handle the renovations, I suggested RLTurner, primarily because I knew he would want to be looking down on us to see that everything was done properly.”
When Tom worked at Ball State University, the two became reacquainted as Tom saw RLTurner’s quality construction firsthand on multiple projects. It was satisfying to see the integrity and leadership Bob nurtured as an undergrad carry through to his professional life, he said.
He saw those same values in Sam Medlen, RLTurner project engineer, who’s leading the Acacia project. Acacia’s upgrades include a new portico, atrium, and staircase. We’re also adding new bedrooms and study rooms. Once funding is secured, future phases will upgrade rooms in the North Tower and address the roof, dormers, and rear exterior wall, dramatically improving the back of the house.
“This is the first project I’ve led for RLTurner,” Sam said. “Knowing that this was our founder’s fraternity definitely makes it worthwhile and special.”
