Howard Boyd Turrentine

Who was Howard Boyd Turrentine?

Howard Boyd Turrentine was a United States federal judge.

Born in Escondido, California, Turrentine received an A.B. from San Diego State College in 1936 and an LL.B. from the University of Southern California Law School in 1939. He was in private practice in San Diego, California from 1939 to 1941, and was a deputy city attorney of San Diego from 1940 to 1941. He was a Lieutenant Commander in the United States Navy during World War II, from 1941 to 1945. He resumed his private practice in San Diego from 1945 to 1968, and was a member of the Selective Service Appeals Board in 1966. He was a judge on the Superior Court, County of San Diego from 1968 to 1970.

On February 19, 1970, Turrentine was nominated by President Richard Nixon to a seat on the United States District Court for the Southern District of California vacated by Fred Kunzel. Turrentine was confirmed by the United States Senate on April 23, 1970, and received his commission the following day. He served as chief judge from 1982 to 1984, assuming senior status on January 22, 1984.