By Donna Bouchard & Joe Berkowitz
The Wayland Public Ceremonies Committee will present two awards at this year’s opening of Wayland’s Annual Town Meeting on April 7, 2025, at the Wayland High School Field House. The C. Peter R. Gossels Good Government Award will be presented to long-time Wayland resident, volunteer and decorated veteran, Richard R. Turner and the Lydia Maria Child Award recognizes David Pearlman, a town member, for displaying exceptional service and leadership.
Richard P. Turner served Wayland and the country since graduating from Wayland High School in 1962. After working for the Wayland Parks Department, Turner enlisted in the Navy. He served in Vietnam from July 1968-July 1969. He was decorated with the Purple Heart because he was injured while driving an armored troop carrier in a 12-hour fight. Turner’s over 20 years of service in the US Navy earned him the National Offense Service Medal, the Good Conduct Medal with 4 stars, and the Vietnam Service Medal with 4 stars. Because of Richard, the Town of Wayland became a Purple Heart Community in 2015.
Richard Turner served Wayland as the Veterans Graves Officer for over 20 years. As an example of his service, Richard engaged Wayland’s DPW and volunteers from Town groups, including the Boy Scouts, to mark over 600 veterans’ graves with wreaths. He spoke about his own Post Traumatic Stress Disorder to convince other service people to obtain mental health services from the Veterans Administration. He chaired Wayland’s Public Ceremonies Committee for over 20 years where he organized annual events, including the Memorial Day Parade and Ceremony of Remembrance, the Veterans Day Ceremony and luncheons. Turner also served on Wayland’s Cable TV Advisory Committee. His countless volunteer hours with WayCam brought recognition to Wayland students and other townspeople.
Turner’s patriotism, courage, civic-mindedness, generosity and decades of voluntary contributions to Wayland, and his civility exemplify the criteria of the C. Peter R. Gossels Good Government Award.
David Pearlman was known for his larger-than-life personality, hysterical sense of humor, boundless generosity, and deep commitment to ensuring that no one, especially a child, was ever left behind. David was instrumental in bringing people together and making enduring memories—adults and children alike considered him a best friend and a confidant. He was the glue that held the community around him together; a true champion for all. He was an active and dedicated member of the Wayland community. He founded the Wayland Men’s Softball League, served on town boards as an elected official including the Wayland Recreation Commission, and passionately worked to improve the town for young and old. David Pearlman passed away unexpectedly on February 14, 2025 at the age of 59. His award will be presented to Pearlman’s wife, Jennifer, and sons Jake and Alex.
The Lydia Child’s award was founded in 2009 with the intent to honor the citizens of Wayland for their efforts to aid the Wayland community.
The C. Peter R. Gossels Good Government Award is bestowed upon a long-time resident of Wayland who has served as a volunteer for 20 years or more with generosity of spirit to improve and support the operation of good town government. The award honors unpaid, secular service that promotes positive citizen engagement with the town government; provides information to voters and officials to enhance fairness and well-informed decisions; and may recognize innovative initiatives that enhance operation of the Town of Wayland. The award will annually recognize an individual who exemplifies Peter’s passion for justice, civility, and high standards of conduct. This award may also be bestowed posthumously.
