Nicholas Thomas Turek

January 4, 1973 – September 21, 2022

Nick was born to Thomas and Deborah Turek on January 4th, 1973, in Manhattan, KS. Tom, a family practitioner, and Debbie, a homemaker, moved to Grants Pass, OR when Nick was little and he was soon joined by his brother, Chris. Nick would tell you that his childhood was idyllic, and he was incredibly fortunate to have been able to travel with his family, learn to ski, fly-fish, and play golf; all passions that lit a fire in him which would fuel him throughout his life.

He attended Grants Pass High School, earned his Bachelor of Science degree at Santa Clara University, and went on to medical school at Oregon Health & Sciences University. Along the way, he married a young woman that he had known since the 6 ^th grade, Melinda Flores, and they welcomed their daughter, Allison, just after he graduated from medical school. The family of 3 moved to Colorado where Nick could complete his Family Practice residency and it was there that their extensive travelling began. Nick used to say, “It’s not a vacation unless we cross state lines!”

Nick, Melinda, and Allison settled in Madras, OR in 2004 where he began practicing at Mountain View Family Practice. He loved helping his patients every day and fulfilling his dream of becoming a small-town family doc just like his father.

In Allison, Nick found a buddy who would go on adventures with him. She was skiing Black Diamonds by his side at age 7, going on 10-mile day hikes and endless car trips with the music playing and both singing at the top of their voices. They were each other’s heroes.

On September 21 ^st , 2022, Nick passed away at Partners in Care Hospice House in Bend surrounded by loved ones after a long battle with Huntington’s Disease.

Nick loved many, many things in life: Sports, fly-fishing, skiing, music, taking care of others… but most of all he loved his family. There are no words to describe how proud he was of his now grown daughter, Allison, and all she has accomplished. His pride for her was palpable. We are so fortunate for the time we had with him.

Nick was preceded in death by his mother, Deborah. He is survived by his father, Tom (Rita); brother, Chris (Lynsey); wife, Melinda; and daughter, Allison.