Ralph H. Torrey ’42

Ralph Torrey died Feb. 28, 2010, in Ponte Vedra Beach, Fla.

Ralph transferred to Princeton from the University of Pennsylvania. He did not finish in a timely fashion with the Class of 1942 but left college early to join the 4th Division of the Marine Corps. With them he fought in the Battle of Iwo Jima. Throughout the rest of his life Ralph felt proud of his service with the Corps.

After the war, he returned to Princeton, held a full-time job in the University’s administration, and graduated with the Class of 1951. He started in insurance but found his true calling as an account executive in Aitkin-Kynett of Philadelphia, an advertising agency.  

Ralph’s first marriage ended in divorce. He and his second wife, Lis, were married some 40 years ago. In recent years, Ralph’s body weakened, but his mind, according to Lis, continued to function at 110 percent. When he could no longer sail, he turned to Scrabble and chess. In both pursuits he remained a master. Additionally, Ralph retained his abilities as a lifelong inventor.

Ralph is survived by Lis; their daughters, Barbara Centofante, Alexandra Balch, and Erika Torrey; five grandchildren; and four great-grandchildren. To them all, the class sends sympathy.