Dr. Herman O. Torge

Dr. Herman Otto Torge of Eaton passed away Monday, July 22 at Good Samaritan Hospital at the age of 91.   Herman, son of Martha (Ohme) and Herman Karl Torge, was born in 1922 in Mulheim Germany, coming to the USA as a young lad in 1926.  A graduate of Hamilton High School, he received a Bachelor of Music Education Degree from Miami University and a Masters Degree from the Cincinnati Conservatory of Music.  He later earned a Masters Degree and a Doctorate in School Administration from Miami University.  Dr. Torge was a veteran of World War II, serving in France and Germany with the 883rd Field Artillery Battalion of the 70th Infantry Division.  After the Armistice he was transferred to the 3rd Army Band as drum major and tuba player, obtaining the rank of sergeant.
From 1946 to 1956 he taught music at Wilson and Roosevelt Jr. High Schools in Hamilton, Ohio, then moving to Talawanda School District in Oxford as music director.  While at the newly formed Talawanda District he founded the Talawanda Band and later composed the music to the words of the Talawanda fight song and the alma mater.  In 1969 he was appointed Associate Director of the Southwestern Ohio Educational Research Council, serving schools in this area.  Beginning in 1972 he served as Superintendent of the Twin Valley Local School District.  In 1976 he was appointed Associate Professor in the University of Dayton School of Education, continuing there until his retirement in 1991.    As a musician, Dr. Torge was a member of many musical organizations in Southwestern Ohio including bands, orchestras and jazz combos.  For over twenty years he conducted choirs in various churches in Hamilton.  More recently he was a member of the Kettering Civic Band, Windjammers Unlimited Circus Band, Venice Florida Civic Band, and the Eaton Community Band.      Dr. Torge was preceded in death by his first wife, Lorna Rose (Bezold), a brother Herbert Torge of Hamilton, son-in-law Randy Riege of West Alexandria, and a grandson Samuel Lazarus of Montreal.       He is survived by his wife of 26 years Carol Lee (Sakola-Keefe) Torge; 6 daughters: Janet Torge of Montreal; Michela (Chip) Barcus; Carolyn Parker (Damian) all of California; Betsy Torge of Oxford; Claudia Riege of California, and Peggy Deffner of Eaton; two step-children, Patsy (Keefe) Labyk and husband Clifford of Westerville; and Howard Keefe and wife Lyn of Centerville, OH.      Also grandchildren Riel Lazarus of Montreal; Skye Barcus (Amber) , Brianna (Jordan) Ancel; and Beau Barcus of California.  Stacey (Creighton) Kodak of Hoboken; Samantha Lund (Matt) of Tennessee; Sydney Ferris of California; Emily Collins of Oxford; Robert Collins of Las Vegas; Christie and Lindsey Riege of Calif.; Spencer and Lauren Deffner of Eaton.  Two step-grandchildren Zachary and Stephen Labyk of Westerville. 4 Great grandchildren, nieces and nephews.  Private services will be held at the convenience of the family. Lindloff-Zimmerman  Funeral Home in charge of arrangements.  Burial in Sugar Grove Cemetery, New Lexington.  For condolences: www.lindloffzimmerman.com