Clair Torgerson

Clair Milton Torgerson was born on October 10, 1929, in Fingal, North Dakota to Alfred and Julia Torgerson. He was raised within walking distance of the Fingal School House, attending First Grade through his Graduation in 1947. Known as Milt by his family, nicknamed Torgy by his friends. He lettered in Basketball, State Champions in '45-46. He met DuAnn Marion Lindemann their senior year at a community dance in 1946 and were married on July 10, 1949. Milt graduated from refrigeration school in Minneapolis, MN and working as an electrician wiring homes and businesses in Valley City, ND. In June of 1951, they went west to the State of Washington. Milt began working at Puget Sound Naval Shipyard in Bremerton, until call to the draft in January 1952. They returned to North Dakota , while Milt served in the Army, Basic Training and engineer training in Fort Belvoir, VA. He attended leadership school, and off to Leipeiheim, Germany to the 54th Combat Engineer Battalion, where they helped build bailey bridges on the Danube River. Returning to Bremerton, he worked Puget Sound Naval Shipyard for the next 32 years as a Combat Systems Officer. Milt's primary assignment was a "trouble shooter" in the maintenance and repair of submarines. He would go to sea on trial runs to test new systems and monitor existing ones. This must have been where he began his love for travel. Retiring at age of 55, began wintering in Arizona 1984, and spending every summer in Washington State. Torgy designed and built several homes, including their last home at Lakeland Village in Allyn, WA. They moved to Sun City, AZ, full time in September 1998. Torgy enjoyed automobiles, had a love for classic '55-'57 T-birds, he was instrumental in establishing the Puget Sound Early Bird's Classic Thunderbird Club in Bremerton, WA. He was a member of the American Lutheran Church ,in Sun City since 1999. He also enjoyed photography, gardening, lapidary, faceting and later making jewelry of silver, rocks and precious gems. He was a member of the Sun Dial Rock and Gem Club and the Bell Lapidary Club. Milt has traveled the United States from Alaska to the Florida Keys in their motorhome. Europe, the UK, Israel and Russia, by far his favorite trip was down under in Australia and New Zealand. To celebrated their 60th wedding anniversary in France, he was ready for his final destination passing on March 4th . He is survived by his wife DuAnn of nearly 70 years. Son, Gary, his wife Bonnie Torgerson, of Mesquite, NV and granddaughter Jennifer Torgerson of Las Vegas, NV. His Daughter, Ann Torgerson Jones, her husband Kit Jones and grandson Mitch, wife AnneMarie and great grandsons Mark and Kai Jones. Granddaughter Michaela Jones all residing in Peoria, AZ. His grandson Mark Jones, preceded in death in 2006. His Sister Dorothy Kosir, Brother-in-Law Herman Kosir, who preceded him in death of Puyallup, WA. And Many Nieces and Nephews whom he loved.