Tobe A. Turpen Jr. was born in Flagstaff, Arizona on August 25, 1923 and grew up on the Navajo Reservation. Tobe lived most of his life in Gallup, New Mexico and died at age 94 on October 28, 2017

During World War II Tobe was a turret gunner on a Grumman TBF Avenger. He was deployed aboard the U.S.S. Savo Island (CVE 78) and flew 63 combat missions in the Pacific Theater and saw action in the assault on Palau Island, Lingayen Gulf, Subic Bay, Luzon Island and the Second Battle of the Philippine Sea off Samar Island.

After World War II Tobe returned to New Mexico and was in the trading business with Native American tribes in the southwest. He became a pilot and used his single engine aircraft to fly to remote parts of the Navajo Reservation to purchase rugs, pottery and jewelry from Navajo artisans.