Robert Turner Covington was born January 11, 1932 in Jacksonville, Florida, to Beaulah Harrison and Turner Verdell Covington. T.V. (Turner Verdell) was an insurance man and
Beaulah was a schoolteacher. Two other siblings followed: Henry Irvin Covington in 1933 and Verdell Ruby Covington, later Jackson in 1936.
Bob attended Howard University and graduated from their Pharmacy School in 1954.
Bob met Carrie Smith in the summer of 1956 through a Mason brother of his father’s that was told to look out for his son while he was in the Navy. The couple married in 1958. Two years later, a son, Ronald Turner Covington was born, and six years later, Corey Scott Covington, the second son, made his debut.
After his two-year Navy stint, Bob went to work at Fed Mart Pharmacy where he met and formed a friendship and partnership with Don Weintraub, the other pharmacist at the store. From 1967 – 1977 Bob was the Pharmacist in charge and co-owner of Fed Mart Pharmacy, forging many lasting professional and personal relationships in the medical and general community at large. Bob was known as an extremely trustworthy, personable, knowledgeable guy with kind words and patient demeanor endearing him to
everyone in his orbit. He also was a certified scuba diver, loved jazz, sports, Jack Daniels, and the eloquent art of turning off-color language into poetic beauty.
He went on to open and run Bob’s Pharmacy in National City from 1977 – 1990. Later he went on to become a partner and work at Park Blvd Pharmacy 1990 – 2009.
Bob was a loyal member and treasurer for the local chapter of Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity. He was also a member of the Boule, Fidelity Lodge #10 Prince Hall Masons, Howard Alumni Association—San Diego Chapter, and Bethel Baptist Church.
Bob passed away on July 20, 2025.
To mourn his passing, Bob leaves behind his wife Carrie Smith Covington, sons; Corey and Ronald, and many family and friends.
