Tayfur Durupinar

Ahmet Tayfur Durupinar was born on September 27, 1924 in the Black Sea coastal town of Bartin, Turkey. Shortly after he was born, his parents moved to Bursa, one of Turkey's bigger cities in the Marmara region very close to Istanbul. It was the years of hardship after WW I and for most middle income families military schools were the best choice for a good education.He was only 13 years old when he enrolled in the Bursa Military Lycee with his younger brother llhan Durupinar, where he graduated at the age of 17. He then attended the Military War Academy and graduated in August of 1942 as a Second Lieutenant. Continuing his education in the Military Academy between 1943 to 1945, he specialized in artillery, also completed courses in cartography and surveying and was promoted to the rank of Senior Captain. Between 1944 to 1959 he worked in Ankara at the Department of Cartography Division of Photogrammetry. In 1959 he resigned his position as a Major and travelled to Columbus Ohio for graduate studies at the Ohio State University. Along with him came his family; wife Ulker, whom he married in 1950 and daughter Sitare, born in 1951. In 1962 he earned his masters degree from The Department of Geodetic Science at the Ohio State University. The same year his son Cengiz was born and the family decided to settle in Columbus where he applied first for permanent residence and later for citizenship. From 1963 to 1980 he worked as the Chief Photogrametriest for Preston and Associates in Columbus, drawing maps of state highways from Ohio to Disney World in Orlando Florida, in an era where computer technology was virtually non-existent. Afterwards he opened his own company;: Franklin Area Mapping, where he worked with his partner until he retired in 1989. Tayfur was a life time member of American Society of Photogrammetry and one of the founding fathers of TAACO ( Turkish American Association of Central Ohio), where he served as the President in 1972. Tayfur loved nature and gardening and also collecting different items from antique shops. He loved to meet with his Turkish-American friends at a local restaurant once a week and discuss politics . He also enjoyed time spent with family, especially with his five great grandchildren. Tayfur Durupinar passed away on May 22, 2020 peacefully in the presence of his beloved wife and daughter at his bedside. He is survived by his loving wife of 70 years Ulker, his daughter Sitare and son Cengiz, son in law Cem, granddaughters Asli and Esra, granddaughters' husbands Matthew and Scott, great grandchildren Taylor, Madison, Ashton, Elli,se and Bryce. May he rest in peace. Our dear Father Tayfur Durupmar passed away this morning peacefully in the presence of his beloved wife and daughter.He was one of the pioneers of the Turkish American Community here in Columbus, Ohio and a father figure, respected and loved by all. Because of the Covid 19 pandemic regulations the funeral services will be held for family only. However there will be a community get together at a future date as the situation allows. Thank you for your support and prayers. Sitare and Cem Ozmeral

Tayfur Durupinar

September 27, 1924 - May 22, 2020