William Eugene 'Gene' Torget

William Eugene Torget, 94, of Cathlamet, passed away peacefully on January 5, 2015, surrounded by family at his Puget Island home.

Gene, as he was known, was born on January 23, 1920 at the family home on Puget Island. He was the youngest of four children of Johan B. Torget and Anna J. (Olsen) Torget, originally from Norway. The young family all spoke Norwegian around the home and believed in strong Norwegian traditions and values. Gene attended Puget Island Grade school and ferried across the river daily to graduate from Wakiakum High School in 1938.   In 1938 he entered the University of Washington, graduating with a B.A in Economics in three years in 1941. He enlisted in the U.S Naval Reserves March 1942. After aviation training at St. Mary's College in California, he was stationed at Moffit Field , then was stationed in Tillamook, Ore., where he was one of the few in the "Lighter Than Air Brigade" flying blimps up and down the west coast. Gene transferred to Aviation Navigation and was stationed at Hickam Field, Hawaii were he flew the south Pacific the remainder of WWII. He was on one of the first flights into Japan after the atomic bombings where he handed out chocolate bars to the children After WWII he returned to the University of Washington and recieved his Master's Degree in Economics and was called back into the Korean war. He was released from active duty in January of 1954 having attained the Rank of Naval Commander. He immediately continued his graduate education and was awarded a Master’s Degree from the University of Washington. While subsequently working on his Ph.D. degree, he was offered a position with the Bureau of Reclamation he could not pass up, and began his long professional career.

Gene married Ellen Swanson on August 11, 1943, and they were married for 48 years. Together they loved to entertain, camp, dance and played bridge for charity groups. They raised three children. He taught at the University of Washington from 1954-56. He was regional economist for the Bureau of Reclamation from 1956-59 and chief field economist for the Army Corps of Engineering. Gene was called to Washington D.C. to speak to Congress on a few occasions. Gene and Ellen resided in Lake Oswego, Ore., until retiring in 1979 when they purchased land and started building a retirement home on Puget Island.

As a proud Norweign he was a lifelong member of the Sons of Norway, having driven nails as a 16 year old, when the hall on the island was being constructed. He maintained his membership his entire life as he travelled around the world.

Gene was proceeded in death by his first wife Ellen, their first born son, siblings Arne Torget, Alice Pellum, and Jennie Longworth, all of Puget Island. In loving memory of his wife Ellen, Gene built a church steeple for Skamokawa Methodist Church.

He lived a long and productive life filled with adventure and travel. His generosity over his life has left an indelible mark that will continue for many years to come. He enjoyed woodworking, built his home on Puget Island after reading a how-to book, and fabricated all of his cabinetry. He was a very humble, intelligent, and social gentleman filled with knowledge and wisdom gained from his vast life experiences. He will be greatly missed by many.

He is survived by his second wife, Marilyn Torget, his son Robert Torget of Littleton, Colorado, his daughter, Anne Torget-Lescarbeau (Gill) of Puget Island, four grandchildren, and five great grandchildren.

A memorial service is planned for 3 p.m. Saturday, January 24, 2015, at Heritage Bible Church, Puget Island, Cathlamet WA. In lieu of flowers donations may be made to Gene Torget Memorial Scholarship Fund, Bank of the Pacific, P.O. Box 337, Cathlamet, WA 98612.

--Paid Obituary--