Michael T. Turvey

Turvey studied Physical Education at Loughborough College from 1960 to 1963. He captained the Track & Field Team for two years while earning a DLC with First Class Honours. He was a proud alumnus who credited his training for much of his professional success, especially as an award-winning teacher. Friendships made at Loughborough remained among his most cherished. The following obituary was prepared by his family.

Michael Thomas Turvey passed away peacefully on August 12 at the age of 81. He was a proud Cockney from London’s East End, the son of the late Nel and “Bonky” Turvey. As a world class track and field athlete, he attended Loughborough College, the premier college of physical education in the United Kingdom. He was training for the 1964 Tokyo Olympics when injuries forced him to pursue his interest in skilled movement in an academic rather than an athletic setting. He went to the United States, ostensibly for a year, and earned a Master’s degree in Physical Education and a PhD in Experimental and Physiological Psychology from the Ohio State University.

He then accepted appointments on the faculty at the University of Connecticut in Storrs and the research staff at Haskins Laboratories in New Haven where he served for over 40 years. He never truly abandoned athletics, however, using his experience learning and performing skilled behaviours as a way to challenge experimental psychology to recognize and come to terms with the fundamental problem of movement’s coordination. He eventually expanded that inquiry beyond humans, marvelling at the achievements of organisms at all scales of nature.

His pioneering work in the domain of the ecological approach to perception and action was multiply honoured, both nationally and internationally, with lifetime achievement awards, honorary degrees, and even an “Ig Nobel” Prize in Physics. He was also a dedicated and world-renowned educator and mentor, producing four dozen PhDs and introducing over 20,000 UConn students to the field of psychology during his decades of teaching the general psychology course.

He made a difference in the lives of not only his own students but also large numbers of young scholars and colleagues who he has inspired with his lectures and his willingness to discuss their work—especially if those discussions could happen in an English pub (easily achieved once he built Sweet William’s Pub in his own house). He will be remembered for his charm, generosity, kindness of spirit, and unrelenting good cheer. He was predeceased by his brother Jack, sister Sheila, and nephew Michael. He is survived by his devoted family: wife, scientific partner, and companion Claudia Carello; brothers-in-law Al and Phil and sister-in-law Jane; nieces Julie and Seona, nephews Andy, Calum, Chris, and John; nieces- and nephew-in-law Carolyn, Lynne, Michelle, Sermin, Susan, and Tony; numerous great-nephews and nieces, and a few great-greats as well. He also rejoiced in the company of many dear friends and colleagues, relationships he nurtured throughout his life.

Another life-long relationship was with Arsenal Football Club, a devotion inevitably shared by many of his friends (except, of course, the hopeless Spurs fans). Donations in Michael’s memory are being made to the CESPA Alumni and Friends Fund.