About Us
The Terk Foundation is a 501(c)(3) Non-Profit Organization
The David Terk Legacy
The David B. Terk Foundation (Terk Foundation)is a 501(c)(3) Non-Profit Organization founded in 1992. The Organization was founded by its namesake, Mr. David B. Terk (1929-2000), first generation American born to a Russian-Jewish family in 1929 in Fargo, North Dakota. He grew up humbly and learned the importance of family, generosity and and kindness from an early age. Terk was often referred to as “Nature Boy”, as he could frequently be found outside participating in pigeon racing events, collecting reptiles and snakes and thus teaching the kids around him the importance of Nature. Terk’s family recalls hearing memories of David and his mother, Sadie, reading books in bed every night about birds and memorizing each one of Audubon’s watercolors. Terk remained an avid reader his entire life.Terk moved across the country several times as a young child until losing his mother at the age of 16. The loss of his mother devastated David.
After graduating Schreiner High School, Terk joined the US ally Philippine Army because he was still under the age of 18. He was awarded a prestigious honor from the Philippine President. After turning 21, Mr. Terk went on to serve our country in the infamous 9th Infantry of the U.S. Army during the Korean War (1950-1953) and was honored with several awards including the Bronze Star for Valor. In addition to his military honors, Mr. Terk was the 64th man in the world to accomplish a “World Slam” in Big Horn Sheep Hunting. Mr. Terk traveled the world in his pursuit of this elusive sheep and finally accomplished the last hunt in Mongolia in 1998.
Like many veterans, Terk is remembered as a complicated man who did not boast or relay many stories of war to his family. Kimberly Terk, President of the Terk Foundation, often jokes that Mr. Terk thought of her as his “first born son” – keeping her close by his side while hunting, fishing and participating in various outdoor activities. She learned the ropes from a young age. Yet, many of Mr. Terk’s stories as a military man remain a mystery. Instead, Mr. Terk’s legacy is more akin to the famous words of Gandhi, “My life is my message.” The Terk family wishes to “carry the torch” of Mr. Terk’s legacy by contributing to the causes dearest to his heart – cancer research, the performing arts, conservation, education, veterans and 2A advocate organizations.