The Rt. Rev. Edward C. Turner, sixth Bishop of the Diocese of Kansas, died June 21 at his home in Colorado Springs, Co. He was 82.

Bishop Turner was consecrated bishop coadjutor in 1956 and became diocesan in 1959. He served until his retirement in 1981. The Rt. Rev. William Smalley, Bishop of Kansas, celebrated a memorial Eucharist at Grace Cathedral, Topeka, June 25. "Ed Turner did a marvelous job not only in ministering to the Diocese of Kansas but in looking at issues that were of concern to the whole church, such as evangelism and justice for those in inner cities. Turner House in Kansas City is part of that legacy, and in many ways he helped plant the seed that developed into Venture House in Wichita. He had a strong concern for integration and the equality of all people." Turner House is a Jubileee Center providing after-school and summer youth programs, senior meals, and a children's clinic; Venture House trains people for the work environment with counseling, remedial language and math courses, and assistance in obtaining clothes and tools for employment.

One of the hallmarks of Bishop Turner's 25-year tenure was the planting of new churches throughout the diocese. He also oversaw the establishment of Canterbury House on the campus of the University of Kansas.

Bishop Turner was born in Buenos Aires, Argentina, and was educated at Northwestern University, Evanston, Ill., and Seabury-Western Theological Seminary. He was ordained deacon and priest in 1940. He received an honorary Doctorate of Divinity from Seabury-Western in 1954, and served as a member of the seminary's board of trustees for many years. He served parishes in Washington state and Colorado until his call to the episcopacy.

Bishop Turner is survived by his wife, Virginia, a daughter, Mary Baines of Arlington, Texas, two sons, David Turner of Concord, Calif., and James Turner of Topeka, seven grandchildren and one great-grandchild.