TORGERSON, Allan Curtis (Torg)

The Wickenburg Sun, Wickenburg, Arizona Wednesday, September 25, 2013 Allan Curtis Torgerson died Friday, Sept. 20 in Stevensville, Md. Torg or Torgie, as he was known, had recently celebrated his 90th birthday. Born in Albert Lea, Minn., he attended Pillsbury Military Academy in Owatonna, Minn., Macalester College in St. Paul, Minn., and graduated from the U.S. Military Academy at West Point, N.Y. in 1946. He married the love of his life, Roberta “Bobbe” Josten, in 1946. She predeceased him in 2011. Torg was the son of the late Andres J. Torgerson and Clara Sophia Hanson. He was also predeceased by his brother Dale Andres Torgerson and grandson Timothy Allan Coyer. After Torgie’s retirement as a colonel from the U.S. Army in 1976, he worked as the Director of Development for both the Bullis School in Potomac, Md., and then the Army Distaff Hall in Washington, D.C. While on active duty, he and Bobbe lived in Kyoto, Japan; Sandia Base, New Mexico; Ft. Hood in Texas, Aberdeen Proving Grounds in Maryland; Ft. Leavenworth, Kansas; Honolulu, Hawaii; and in Germany and Belgium. In addition, he served two unaccompanied tours in Korea and one tour of duty in Vietnam. After full retirement, Torg and Bobbe spent summer and fall on the Eastern Shore of Maryland and winter and spring in Wickenburg. Torgie was active in the Episcopal Church his whole life and was a long-time member of both St. Alban’s Episcopal Church in Wickenburg and Christ Church Parish in Stevensville, Md. He sang in both choirs for many years. While living in Wickenburg, he was active in helping promote and preserve acres of pristine desert by co-founding the Wickenburg Conservation Foundation. He loved music and played the violin beautifully. He co-founded the Wickenburg Chamber Orchestra, which led to the creation of the Wickenburg Children’s cultural Organization (WCO). He and Bobbe donated dozens of violins to children’s programs both in Wickenburg and Annapolis (The Chesapeake Youth Symphony Orchestra). He played the guitar and harmonica and possessed a beautiful tenor voice and could harmonize effortlessly. Torg was a member of the Minnesota Masonic Lodge 33, the Owatona, Minn., American Legion Post 77 and the Shriners. He was also a member of the Desert Caballeros and the Desert Mountain Caballeros. Torg is survived by his children Christopher Torgerson (Margo) of Huntsville, Ala., Sally Lawson (Donald) of Prescott, Julie Coyer (Spencer Hopkins) of Annapolis, Md., Thomas Torgerson (Dona Carlozzi) of Stevensville, Md., and Andrea McCally (Thomas) of Washington, D.C.; grandchildren Parker and Andrew Coyer, Georgia and Garrett McCally, and Brian Lawson; and great-grandchild Trent Lawson. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in Torg’s name to The WCO (Wickenburg Children’s cultural Organization (a 501c-3) charity), P.O. Box 2687, Wickenburg, AZ 85358 or call 684-7473. Donations may also be made to Hospice of Queen Anne’s, 255 Comet Road, Centreville, MD 21617. A visitation will be held from 1 to 2 p.m. Sunday (Sept. 29) at Christ Church Parish, 830 Romancoke Rd. in Stevensville, Md., where services will be held at 2 p.m. A reception for family and friends will follow in Shand Hall. His funeral and burial at the United States Military Academy at West Point, N.Y., will be held at 10 a.m. Tuesday, (Oct. 1) at the Old Cadet Chapel, 689 Washington Rd. in West Point, N.Y. A reception for family and friends will follow at the Thayer Hotel in West Point, N.Y. Additionally, a celebration of his life will be held in April in Wickenburg before the 2014 Desert Caballeros Ride. Online condolences can be made at kalasfuneralhomes.com. ~~~~~~~~~~~~ The Wickenburg Sun, Wickenburg, Arizona Wednesday, October 16, 2013 One of the addresses to send donations in memory of Allan “Torgie” Torgerson, who passed away Sept. 20 in Maryland, was listed incorrectly late last month. The correct mailing address for contribution in Torgerson’s name to the Wickenburg Children’s cultural Organization (WCO) is 245 N. Tegner St., Wickenburg, AZ 85390.