Ryan Patrick Torgerson, "Torgy", 38 died unexpectedly and suddenly on Monday, May 30th at his home in Wauconda, IL, outside Chicago. Ryan rowed with the University of Wisconsin rowing team, 1991-1994 and rowed on the US National Team, 1998-2004. Captain Torgerson served in the US Marines, 1995-1998. He worked for United Airlines in Chicago, 2005-2011. He is survived by his wife, Paige Elizabeth, his son Brett Axl, age 5 and his daughter Heidi Love, age 3.
A reception is planned for Thursday, June 2nd at the Messiah Lutheran Church in Wauconda, 10:00 AM - 12:00 PM.
A memorial service is planned for Sunday, July 10th, 3:00 PM at the Princeton University Chapel, Princeton, NJ. A reception will follow at the Princeton University Boathouse.
Also, a boat naming ceremony for the "Torgy '94" is planned by the Wisconsin rowing team for this fall at the University of Wisconsin in Madison.
In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to a 529 educational plan generously set up by Ryan's teammates for Brett and Heidi.
Checks payable to: Paige Torgerson or Merrill Lynch
Send to: Fox, Penberthy & Dehn
Merrill Lynch
1200 Howard Boulevard
Suit 300
Mount Laurel, NJ 08054
Enter "Ryan Torgerson Education Fund" in the check memo. Contact Jeff Klepacki with any questions at [email protected]
Paige asks that you share with her your favorite Torgy stories in the comments section below so that she can pass them on to his dearly-loved Brett and Heidi.
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05/30/2012 4:52:07 AM
I have been thinking of our man, RPT, of late. Today is a very special and hard day for you. I was reading through the blogs the last week in anticipation of today for you, and I am reminded of just how courageous and inspirational our man Torgy was in person, and how he still is in spirit through everyone who knew him.
I wanted to share a story with you. When Ryan and I spent countless hours togeter in 2000 and 2001, he used to talk about pushing himself to new limits each day and in every way. We all know that is certainly true about him. He used to talk about, in the Marines, they would call it "Final Protective Fire!" or "FPF". Like many things in his life, his routines became his way of life, and his commitment to his personal protocols are most evident in his rowing achievements. I often think of his many sayings, (like his awesome movie quotes!!), but "FPF" has always stuck out for me. He said its a military command, and one used to unload all the ammo you have, and he recalled his military training how they did this once and he said the sky "lit up like the 4th of F*&^ing July!!".
This is how our man Torgy lived his life everyday. Final Protective Fire. He would exhaust his body and his mind, absorbing the most out of life, and in the end, was rewarded the most satisfaction by doing so. We would all be so lucky to live our lives with half of RPT's determination and passion.
The only time I saw him more excited ever in his life, was the morning after he met you, Paige. Man that kid's face was lit up like the Fourth of July. Final Protective Fire. Torgy's way of life.
Stay Strong Today Paige. Torgy would want nothing less from you and all his family.
Dixon aka, Donny
10/03/2011 8:51:29 PM
Marc Parkinson Corporal USMC
06/28/2011 3:57:29 PM
06/11/2011 10:10:05 AM
06/10/2011 2:19:53 AM
06/09/2011 1:30:08 PM
06/08/2011 8:36:29 AM
Two stories that echo the memories of others. First, it probably should be clearly stated: Ryan was not a natural rower. I remember helping Dan Gehn when Ryan was a freshman: on the water, he did almost everything wrong. We’d talk to him after practice: Torgy always promised to do better, and told us he was trying really hard. His effort was evident, but I remember thinking, “trying hard might not be enough.” That was my first mistake.
Less than two years later: we were out in 4+’s, and I was coxing Torgy’s boat. Workout was something like 6x5 minutes, with rating caps for the first 3 minutes, anything goes for the last two. First piece: we fall far beyond the others in the first 3 minutes. We were too far gone to catch even one of the other fours. But let’s see if we can close the gap: up we go, Torgy. And he *cranked it up.* We caught – and then passed – all of the other boats. I couldn’t believe it. And after he caught his breath, Torgy asked me if we caught the others. Yes, Torgy, we did: it was incredible (didn’t you hear/notice?).
Every piece, same thing. Steep drop-off in first 3 minutes, and incredible, smashing sprints to win every piece. And each time, the same question afterwards: “how did we do?”
It was simply one of the most spectacular efforts I’ve ever witnessed. And it reflected Torgy’s pure work ethic: he just had to get it out, and he did to enormous effect. He taught me valuable lessons: he didn’t know where the others were and he didn’t care. He measured his performance completely internally: he went all out, to the wall, and through. When it was done, and only then, it was time to assess the performance. Never count anything as lost or beyond hope.
After that day, I remember thinking and saying frequently: “Never bet against Torgy.” This was my second mistake, for it just wasn’t strong enough. I watched him go to Princeton and beyond; meet Paige; and thrive. I knew the better formulation was stronger: “Always bet *on* Torgy.” To know Torgy was to want to go to the line with him. I am so sad for your loss – and so grateful that our paths crossed. – Mark Sniderman
06/07/2011 6:02:41 PM
06/06/2011 12:08:03 PM
Tony "Monty" Montabon
06/05/2011 7:19:18 PM
06/04/2011 3:05:51 PM
06/03/2011 8:35:38 PM
"Race today like it is your last race, take each stroke like it was your last stroke. Stay focused, stay in your boat, be intense, be fierce, be relentless. Don’t be afraid of the pain, meet it head on, grab it by the balls and own it. Remember the pain tells you that you are alive. Get ready, be ready. Like Metallica said, "nothing else matters"...but this moment, 220 strokes. You are strong, be strong. Break the fucking oar and tear the limbs off this piece. Go now, be great, be proud to know that whatever happens, there isn’t one other rower outside of your boat that tried harder or that embraced the fear and the challenge more. Leave everything on the course and you will be great This is only my opinion but it is totally true." Paige hopes that this will serve as an inspiration to the crew in the Torgy '94
06/03/2011 6:23:58 PM
Love,
Sara and Mark
06/03/2011 3:06:55 PM
06/03/2011 2:23:20 PM
The story I think of first with Torgy is one he told us before practice one day in the summer of 1998 or 1999. It was blazing hot and we’re standing there stretching and he starts talking about how his car broke down one summer (I think it was in NC, but could have been anywhere) on the freeway. Ryan tells about how pulls over to the side of the road and is standing there in the sweltering heat looking under the hood. A bit later Torgy looks up to see a car in worse shape than his own pull over behind him and Torgy is grateful that someone has stopped to help. The man walks up to him sticks his head under the hood and takes a look. Then the man steps back and says in a thick drawl (imagine Torgy imitating this), “I get the ties, you take the bat tree.” and then Torgy starts cackling with his laugh. By this time we’re all laughing too and saying “Torgy, what??” and so he says it again and again until you figure it out, laughing the whole time: “I get the ties, you take the bat tree.” I just remember standing there thinking how funny and crazy this was and feeling so happy and positive, which was far better than worrying about practice, selection or anything else.
– Jamie Peschel
06/03/2011 1:57:14 PM
06/03/2011 12:10:04 PM
06/03/2011 10:46:55 AM
06/03/2011 1:56:15 PM
06/03/2011 8:00:10 AM
06/03/2011 7:41:49 AM
Torgy was a man of routine, as Stolli already mentioned, he kept it simple. True to his character, Torgy was always early to practice. He was also the only guy on the team who locked his locker. Every morning, he would stand in front of his locker, spin the lock five times, dial in his combination, then open his locker. He would don the appropriate stinky clothing for the morning, close his locker, replace the lock, latch it, then spin it five times.
Once in the tank room, Torgy would always take the same spot for his pre-practice stretching regimen. I think it was stretching, but it may have been part disco, part yoga, part tai chi, and maybe part something only known in Cleveland. He would stand with his feet apart, reach down to his left ankle, hold for a few seconds, then right ankle, hold for a few seconds. Then back to the left ankle, then the right, then the left, then the right. Once properly limbered, he would start again on the left leg. He would hover his hands over his left knee, then bob up and down between ankle and knee a number of times. He would swing his body to the right and repeat. This is what Torgy did before practice. It's just what he did.
Of course, we all know now what he did on and off the water.
After practice, he would return to his locker. Spin five times, open, undress, close, latch, spin five times. Shower. Back to the locker. Spin five times, open, dress, close, latch, spin five times. This is what Torgy did after practice. It's just what he did.
In the spring of 1994, Torgy and I raced in the same boat. I learned, along with everyone else, that Torgy was not just a man of idiosyncratic routine - he redefined perseverance, commitment and dedication. I developed a fondness for him that only commiseration can bring to focus.
We narrowly missed the final at the IRA, and we were all disappointed. But I was most disappointed for Torgy - he was a senior, he did everything right, we just weren't fast enough. The night after the finals, we had our traditional team dinner, senior speeches, then the naming of the new team captain. I was, perhaps selfishly, hoping to be selected captain. When another (very deserving) teammate got the nod, I was again (perhaps selfishly) disappointed.
As it turns out, beneath Torgy's single-minded desire, inhuman tolerance for pain and selfless commitment to the team, was a loving, caring and sensitive man. Despite my best effort to hide my disappointment, Torgy saw right through it. He walked up to me and said, like he would to a little brother, simply, "Hey Dressler. You don't need a title to be a leader." This was Torgy's way. He didn't say a lot, he led by example. He did everything right. It's just what he did.
We miss you, man. -Kris "The Dirty Doctor" Dressler
06/03/2011 5:56:09 AM
Torgy was 100% optimist and 0% cynic. He believed he could do anything if he committed himself. He gave more than anyone. I learned so much from his example. I miss him.
06/03/2011 3:24:39 AM
06/02/2011 8:51:41 PM
06/02/2011 8:06:42 PM
As a Texan I want to borrow a phrase from my fellow Texan Bum Phillips about folks who are “forged from a hotter fire”. Ryan was one of those people that was forged from a hotter fire. He was strong in all aspects. Mentally and physically strong. Ethically and morally strong. His love for his family and friends – unbreakably strong. Forged from a hotter fire. He will be missed, we are all better people for having known him, and he will never be forgotten.
06/02/2011 4:56:56 PM
06/02/2011 1:40:25 PM
06/02/2011 10:28:46 AM
06/02/2011 8:59:16 AM
06/01/2011 11:08:31 PM
Competing at the Royal Canadian Henley ended our summer program. Ryan and I had several conversations about what we wanted to do “down the road.” I had finally figured out I wanted to be in amateur athletics, not medicine, and I actually told him I wanted to work for USRowing some day. Ryan said he was going back to Wisconsin to row, of course, would serve our country in the military and that he “was really liking rowing.” Ryan always worked hard, gave maximum effort and thanked me for coaching him that summer.
In 1993, I got lucky and landed employment with USRowing. I was fortunate to work in athlete services with our national teams. Ryan and I became reacquainted in the fall of 1997 when he called the office asking about how to make the national team. I really should not have been surprised, but honestly, I was. I gave him the information about testing, talent identification camps and time standards. He told me he was in the Marines, hadn’t been in a boat for a while, but he had an erg - and he was using it - a lot - and figuring out a way to buy a boat. I rooted for Ryan from that day on and was thrilled when he made his first national team. We both knew dreams come true – and Ryan was willing to chase his dreams, no matter how much effort it took. Ryan was - Semper Fi. Ryan did - Row USA. R.I.P. - RPT.
06/01/2011 8:22:35 PM
06/01/2011 7:18:00 PM
I had the good fortune of rooming with Torgy in Milan in 2003. I will always remember his very unique habit of sleeping on his stomach with his head facing directly into the mattress and two pillows over his head. We miss you Torgy!
Watts (Jon Watling)
06/01/2011 6:55:27 PM
06/01/2011 6:03:49 PM
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06/01/2011 4:18:17 PM
06/01/2011 3:03:17 PM
06/01/2011 1:42:22 PM
Garrett Klugh
06/01/2011 11:37:46 AM
06/01/2011 10:33:18 AM
06/01/2011 9:20:27 AM
06/01/2011 8:50:30 AM
06/01/2011 8:12:22 AM
06/01/2011 7:50:40 AM
06/01/2011 4:45:21 AM
06/01/2011 4:30:49 AM
06/01/2011 4:02:58 AM
Besides the beautiful smile that Torgy always had, I best remember him on the Gamut. Rowing at Wisconsin had 5 seasons: Fall (Head Racing), winter (long mentally and physically grueling work-outs), spring (Racing Season), summer (time away), and the 5th season was Gamut Testing 6 minute pieces at 5 ½ lbs. Gamut testing was a brief season where for the first time you hopefully saw the first fruits of your labor and got to “see what you got under the hood”. The Gamut’s were positioned side-by side, one Port, and one Starboard on a platform behind the tank with 2 huge mirrors in front of you.
The exercise was simple: pick a partner, sign-up for a time, and go like hell. I always picked Torgy as my partner. Out of principle we always took the first slot at 6:00AM, why wait. Without reservation or second thought, I always tested with Torgy. Always. My reason was selfish. I knew I could make it thru the first 4 minutes alone, but for the last 2 minutes I would need Torgy’ s help, and that is where my fondest memories of Torgy come from. With about 4 minutes down you asked yourself, “am I going to swing it home, or am I going to drop the hammer”. Torgy always answered that question for me. I would look in that mirror, over at Torgy and see the pure, unbridled determination in his face. I could see and knew, Torgy was not going to quit. Quit is not a word found in Torgy’ s dictionary. If he goes, I go also, and he always went. I would look over at Torgy, straight in his eyes and would hammer that Gamut all the way home, not crossing the finish line, but smashing it thru the finish line. He carried me across that finish line every time.
Torgy once told me, “it is not the size of the dog in the fight, but the size of the fight in the dog” that matters. A lot of people say that, but none of them live it. Torgy walked the talk.
Torgy was phenomenal. Loyal, determined, committed. A patriot. Always a friend.
05/31/2011 9:26:56 PM
06/01/2011 9:41:17 AM
06/01/2011 11:36:43 AM
05/31/2011 9:12:32 PM
05/31/2011 9:01:01 PM
05/31/2011 8:40:11 PM
Recently, when we would get together he had almost total recall of many of the events that had shaped us through these formative years; the things I wanted to remember, but hadn’t, and the things I would rather have forgotten. Torgy told it as he saw it. I’m going to miss him. I’m going to miss the way he was with Paige, with Brett, with Heidi, and with us. I still feel him with me and I suspect I always will.
05/31/2011 8:26:32 PM
05/31/2011 7:57:28 PM
When I first met him, in the summer of 1998, he had just come out of the Marine Corp and was rowing with a pre-elite 8+ training down in Philly. They came up to Princeton about a week before the whole training camp (that boat included) was to do a VO2 max 2K test. Many of us were anxious about either doing a 2K erg test without much prep, or about breathing through a hose and having their nose clamped while doing so, or both. Torgy was unfazed. He went out and bought a snorkel and some clothespins, and, every day after the row, he would go row on the erg for 20 minutes with a snorkel in his mouth and a clothespin on his nose. This was the first time I'd ever met him, as this crazy guy rowing inside in 95-degree heat with a snorkel. I thought, "if this guy doesn't deserve to make the team, then you'll have a hard time convincing me that someone else does." Torgy prepared and trained in a way that made us all better. His performance on that test got him noticed, and he eventually made the team.
Ryan, in addition to everything said here, we will always remember your infectious smile and your sense of humor. It was a pleasure to row with you and count you as my friend. You will be missed.
05/31/2011 7:41:39 PM
The Marines Prayer: Almighty Father, whose command is over all and whose love never faileth; let me be aware of Thy presence and obedient to Thy will. Keep me true to my best self, guarding me against dishonesty in purpose and deed, and helping me so to live that I can stand unashamed and unafraid before my fellow Marines, my loved ones, and Thee. Protect those in whose love I live, give me the will to do the work of a Marine and to accept my share of responsibilities with vigor and enthusiasm. Grant me fortitude that I may be proficient in my daily performance. Keep me loyal and faithful to my superior officers; make me considerate of those entrusted to my leadership and faithful to the duties my country and the Marine Corps has entrusted to me. Help me always to wear my uniform with dignity, and let it remind me daily of the traditions of the service of which I am part. If I am inclined to doubt, steady my faith; if I am tempted, make me strong to resist; I should miss the mark, give me courage to try again. Guide me with the light of truth and grant me wisdom by which I may understand the answer to my prayer. AMEN.
05/31/2011 7:04:12 PM
05/31/2011 6:05:24 PM
05/31/2011 5:58:14 PM
05/31/2011 5:04:58 PM
Joe Kelly Operations Manager United Air Lines - O'Hare Airport
05/31/2011 4:24:09 PM
05/31/2011 3:44:13 PM
Tonight, I plan to I sit in my backyard with my iPhone and feel it is only right to play a little Metallica in honor of Torgy. He was one of the best people I have ever known.
05/31/2011 3:44:39 PM
05/31/2011 3:18:38 PM
It was a cold day in December, and some Nat'l Team members were throwing a Christmas Party at their hosue in Princeton. A bunch of us were in attendance and greatly enjoying ourselves. Torgy was also enjoying himself, but somehow managed to do it with just bottles of water. :) When the evening ended we were faced with a decision...risk the drive home or take a really long walk across town. Until Torgy volunteered to get us jokers back to the AQ safe and sound. Unfortunately for Torgy, he was signing up to drive Volp's beat up Jeep truck with no turn signal (which of course Torgy did not know and we failed to report to him). As was the custom, the Princeton police staked out the nice quiet party we were having and instantly were on our tail. When we made the left onto Nassau St with a solid amber "turn" signal the gig was up. The cop pulled us over. For those of us "riding" it was awesome because we knew we had a stone sober driver and the police had nothing on us! For Torgy, it was yet another thing he had to deal with in getting us home...above and beyond our loud and obnoxious antics in that tiny truck cab. As he always did, he was able to assuage the concerns of the authorities, show the situation was under control and get us back to our beloved AQ safe and sound. When we got back, the inebriated bunch of us took to the basement to tell of our run-in with the Princeton police and the pleasure of scuttling their attempt to nail "the bad guys." Before we were 10 seconds into the story Torgy came in behind us, looked us all square in the eyes (somehow he managed to do that do the entire room of people with one look) and said, "If I ever hear about this at the boathouse, I'll kill you." For those of you out there who were in that room, and you know who you are, there was no doubt of his seriousness. Now that may not sound like a pleasant ending, but it really is the perfect ending for this story of Torgy. He was a man who cared for his friends and would endure our antics and shenanigans so he could get us safely home. He was a guy who could responsibly handle his way with authority figures (be they police or coaches). And he was a guy who took his rowing, and his approach to the boathouse, very very seriously...and we all respected him greatly for that (and in this case particular case we feared it :) )
I mourn his passing, and am a saddened that I only pull up fond memories such as this in such a painful time. Thank you Torg for being a tremendous example of what it really means to dedicate yourself to your passions and friends. God bless!!!
05/31/2011 2:33:49 PM
05/31/2011 2:10:40 PM
His tenacity was unmatched - I never once heard him complain about being tired, sick, injured or being worked too hard (I can't make the same claim).... but it's this sense of humor I'll remember most clearly. God bless, and you will be missed.
05/31/2011 2:50:46 PM
05/31/2011 4:20:24 PM