Eric T. Torkelson

Eric T. Torkelson passed away unexpectedly at his home in Snohomish on November 26, 2010. He was born at Swedish Hospital in Seattle to Dr. Edmund and Kathryn Torkelson in 1947. He was a 1965 graduate of Ballard High School where he was active in basketball and track. He spent 2 years in the army and was a Vietnam Veteran. In 1971 he graduated from Washington State University with a BA in business administration.

After college, Eric worked briefly for Dun and Bradstreet, was later employed by Pemco Insurance and was a claims adjuster for the City of Seattle until his retirement in 2004.

In his spare time, Eric could usually be found working in his garage on one old car or another. He was most proud of his 1936 Studebaker President Coupe which he acquired in 1998, and at the time of his death he was restoring a 1950 Studebaker Convertible. He was a football and basketball fan and spent many hours watching games on TV. He enjoyed classic rock and roll, PBS and car parts on eBay. He was also very fond of Gianni's lasagna, Lombardi's ribs, Anthony's sunset dinners, a good glass of merlot and quiet solitude.

He was kind, compassionate, strong, independent and practical with a loving heart and a wonderful sense of humor. He faced many medical challenges with amazing strength and determination to make things better and move forward.

Eric will be missed beyond measure by Cindy, his wife of 21 years; He is also survived by his brothers Alan of Camano Island, and Edmund (Ann) of Oregon, sister Nancy Faulkner of Pennsylvania; stepmother, Eleanor (Harold) Abramson and step-sister Laurie (Steve) Case of Seattle; mother-in-law Dorothy Smoke of Stanwood and brother-in-law Stan (Wendy) Smoke of Wenatchee. He leaves behind cherished nieces and nephews; kitties Tommy, Rusty, Cali, Jaxie and Stanley; and fellow Studebaker car guys from all around the country. He also leaves behind very special longtime friends Bud and Sandy Hooper of Camano Island, Jeff Peacock of Silvana and Joe and Kathy Hopkins of Ferndale.

Eric was preceded in death by his parents, sister Susan Ice and father-in-law Cecil Smoke.

A special thank you to the many people who helped Eric over the last few months and years including Dr. Alan Haakenstad, the staff of Puget Sound Kidney Center, Bethany at Pacific, Emeritus at Silver Lake, Barry of Providence Physical Therapy, and Christine of Cornerstone Prosthetics.

A Funeral service will be held at 1:00 p.m. on Saturday, December 4 at the Weller Funeral Home, 327 N. MacLeod Ave., Arlington, WA, followed by burial in the Arlington Municipal Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation in Eric's name to one of the following charities: Puget Sound Kidney Center, 1005 Pacific Avenue, Everett 98201; Purrfect Pals, 230 McRae Road, N.E., Arlington 98223; NOAH Animal Adoption Center, 31300 Brandstrom Road, Stanwood, 98292

Arrangements under the direction of Weller Funeral Home, Arlington, WA.