Donald Torreson
Torreson, Donald T. Was born May 14, 1923 in Lakewood, Ohio the son of Alfred and Lillian Torreson. He graduated from Lakewood High School and enrolled at Ohio University where he joined Beta Theta Pi, competed on the varsity tennis team, and met his future wife, Virginia Kinder. In 1943, after his freshmen year at Ohio he volunteered for and enlisted in the United States Air Force. He was trained as a radio controller and married Virginia on November 26, 1943 before he was transferred to Norwich, England. A radio-operator gunner aboard B-24's in the 8th Air Force, he flew 35 missions over Germany. Sgt. Torreson was honored with the Air Medal with four oak-leaf clusters as well as the European theater ribbon with four bronze stars.
He returned home and finished his studies at Ohio University. He earned a bachelor of fine arts from Ohio University, a master of education degree from Ohio State University, and doctorate of education degree from Indiana University. Torreson's first job was as an art instructor and tennis coach at Chillicothe High School in Chillicothe, OH. He became the director for art instruction and then principal of Tiffin Elementary School in Chillicothe. He opened and was principal for a junior high school in East Liverpool, OH and in 1960 was named principal of Lew Wallace High School in Gary, Indiana. He was assistant superintendent in Evanston, IL and then superintendent of schools in North Hills, PA, and finally superintendent of schools in Waukegan, IL.
He and Virginia retired and moved to Bloomington in 1985. Don was preceded in death by his wife Virginia. They have two children, Cindy Prall and husband Fred of Bloomington and Donald "Jeff" Torreson and wife Sandy of Crown Point, IN. They have four grandchildren: Ryan Prall, Kevin Prall, Scott Torreson and Kelley Hoffmann. They now have four great-grandchildren. Don was a member of Faith Lutheran Church in Bloomington. He continued to enjoy tennis, golf, fishing, and painting. He was a supporter of the Alzheimer's foundation among many other charities. Donald Torreson, 87, died peacefully on March 9 at Bloomington Hospital with his children by his side. He was a dedicated brother, soldier, educator, husband, father, grandfather, and great-grandfather who will be forever missed and remembered.
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