John K. Torbert Jr. ’42

Jack died March 11, 2017, while visiting his family in Halifax, Nova Scotia.

At Princeton Jack majored in history. He earned a law degree from Rutgers in 1953.

He served in the Army in the Pacific theater during World War II. He married Kathleen Flesch in 1946 and raised his two sons in New Providence, N.J., where he served on the town council in the early ’60s.

Jack spent his entire working career at New Jersey Bell at various management levels. Jack was, first and foremost, a devoted family man. He was a lively, loving, and inspiring presence at family reunions, milestone birthdays, weddings, graduations, and countless one-on-one encounters with his children and grandchildren. He supported and encouraged the dreams of his entire family.

Jack was an accomplished amateur violinist, playing in string quartets and local orchestras. He was active in the New Jersey Chautauqua Society and supported a variety of community youth services in Newark, N.J. Jack was a voracious reader, supporting local libraries in New Jersey and Connecticut.

Following the death of his wife Kathy and his marriage to Shirley, Jack moved to Litchfield, Conn. Jack and Shirley were active members of Trinity Church in Milton. Following Shirley’s passing in 2006, Jack spent part of each year in Jacksonville, Fla., where he was an enthusiastic participant in the bell choir at Cypress Village.

Jack Torbert will be remembered for his keen wit, intense curiosity, optimistic outlook on life, love of family and friends, and abiding love of music.