Robert Warren Tormey

Robert Warren Tormey, beloved son, dad, grandpa, brother, uncle, and friend passed away at the age of 78 on Wednesday October 18th, 2023 in Salem, Oregon where he lived for the past 40+ years. While the sudden death of Bob has been hard for his family to bear, they have found comfort knowing that his memory lives on in his friends and family, his impactful genealogical research, and the memories and lives of the thousands of students he taught throughout his career.

Bob was born on January 28th, 1945 in Yreka, California, to Warren Portal Tormey and Virginia Hart (née Morgan) Tormey. His parents owned and operated a sporting goods store and Bob and grew up spending his time enjoying hunting, gunsmithing, fishing, archery, and many outdoor pursuits in Yreka and at the family’s 5T Ranch in Copco Lake, California. After graduating Yreka High School Bob received his Bachelor’s degree from Western Washington State College followed by his Master’s degree and PhD in Education from Oregon State University. He was married to Lynne (née Loros) Anderson and then to Diana (née Wiens) Blair of Dallas, Oregon with whom he had his two sons, Brian & Sean.

Bob enjoyed a wide range of hobbies and pursuits including building and driving his #353 Bugeye Sprite and later Formula B Brabham race car at speedways from Eugene to Seattle, flying planes, riding his Harley Davidson motorcycles around town, crafting and fletching his own arrows, researching his Irish & French genealogy, and studying and trading antique Colt and related collectibles and antiques.

One of his proudest accomplishments, Bob was awarded the Order of the Arrow honor after earning designation as an Eagle Scout. He loved all things Scouting and lived by the Scout Motto of ‘Be Prepared’ always and attempted to exemplify this and other Scout principles throughout his adult life. He was also a member of the Fraternal Order of the Eagles, a proud broker, and Realtor with the National Association of Realtors, and over ten local, state, and national education related associations from the Oregon Industrial Education Association to the National Education Association.

Bob was a high school teacher in Springfield, OR for many years in the late 1960’s and 1970’s before working for the Oregon State Dept. Of Ed followed by a stint in Washington D.C. with the US Dept. Of Ed. Bob also owned and operated his own real estate brokerage and property management firm, Portal Properties, and owned commercial and multi-family properties throughout Salem from the 1970’s to the 1980’s. He concluded his career as an Educator by returning as a high school teacher at Gervais, South Salem, and Sprague High Schools in Salem until his retirement from teaching in 2008. He loved his career as an Educator and would proudly introduce himself as such when meeting people.

Bob is survived by his eldest son Brian Duane Tormey of Garrison, NY; his daughter-in-law Sarah Pucillo Tormey of Garrison, NY; his two grandchildren Jameson Warren Tormey and Annabelle Grace Tormey of Garrison, NY; his youngest son Sean Robert Tormey; his brother Bruce Tormey of Salem, OR; his nephew Derick Tormey, wife Kim Tormey, and their daughter Cora Tormey of Salem, OR; and former wives Lynne Anderson of Grants Pass, OR, and Diana Blair of Dallas OR.

A memorial service honoring Robert's life will be held at 2pm on October 5th at Goldens Funeral Home in Salem, Oregon. The family would appreciate hearing from Robert's friends and can be contacted via www.TheTormeyClan.com (which will also contain additional service details). In honor of his lifelong love of Scouting the Boy Scouts of America has setup the Robert Warren Tormey Memorial Fund with the Greater Hudson Valley Council (BSA) in New York where his son Brian and grandson Jameson participate in Scouting. Tax deductible donations can be sent by mail payable to the “Greater Hudson Valley Council BSA - Robert Warren Tormey Memorial Fund” and sent to 18 Westgate Drive, #19, Fishkill, NY 12524 or made online at www.TheTormeyClan.com.