Sources |
- [S4] Knoxville News-Sentinel (Tennessee), 16 Dec 2007.
TORBETT, D. VINCENT, MAJOR, USAF/RET. - age 85, died Saturday December 15, 2007 at Select Specialty Hospital at Fort Sanders. He was an active member of First Presbyterian Church, where he was a past deacon, a member of the James Parks Sunday School Class and attended the Saturday Men's Breakfast. He was born on June 28, 1922, in Knoxville to Horace Alexander and Ora Ellen Hicks Torbett. He was a 1940 graduate of Knoxville High School and later attended the University of Tennessee. He earned his degree from the University of Nebraska at Omaha while in the service. During high school, he joined the National Guard and played trumpet in the Guard's 191st Field Artillery Band. He joined the U.S. Army Air Corps in 1942, and, during World War II, trained fighter pilots in Texas. He became a career officer in the United States Air Force, stationed in Alaska, England, Italy and various other locations. He retired from the Air Force in 1965 and returned to Knoxville, where he worked for the UT Architect's Office as a special assistant for six years. He later owned and operated a Beltone Hearing Center dealership in Morristown. Among his family and many friends, Torbett will be remembered and cherished for his lively spirit, his quick and inquisitive mind, and his love of playing games with all ages. He enjoyed working on the family farm near Surgoinsville, where he spent most summers during the last part of his life, restoring the historic home of the Young family. Torbett was also predeceased by; his brother, Horace Vernon Torbett; and his sister, Virginia Ingle. Surviving are his wife of 37 years, Frances Young Torbett; sons, Dr. Michael Torbett and wife Terry of Macon, Georgia, and Vernon Torbett of Elmira, Oregon; daughter, Karen Torbett of Morristown; and sister, Velma Rhea Torbett of Winston-Salem, North Carolina. He is also survived by a granddaughter, Lauren Torbett of Goshen, Kentucky, a student at the University of Kentucky; and by several nieces and nephews and their families. A funeral service will be 11:00 A.M. Tuesday at First Presbyterian Church with Dr. William Pender, Dr. Paul Rader officiating. The family will receive friends in the Fellowship Hall following the service. The family and friends will meet at Highland Memorial Cemetery for a 2:00 P.M. interment service with Full Military Honors presented by East Tennessee Veterans Honor Guard. Memorials may be made to: First Presbyterian Church, 620 State Street, Knoxville, Tennessee 37902. Arrangements by Rose Mortuary Mann Heritage Chapel. www.rosemortuary.com
|