Jon Torgerson

Jon N. Torgerson, 81, of Urbandale, Emeritus Professor of Philosophy at Drake University passed away on Friday, Dec. 29, 2023.

Jon’s life began on April 20, 1942, in St. Cloud, Minnesota. He was the youngest of three children born to Norman and Alfreda (Sattre) Torgerson. His family moved first to Kasson, Minnesota, and later to Moorhead, Minnesota. In Moorhead, his mother continued the family legacy by teaching English at Concordia College, mirroring her father's career path, as he had previously taught biology at the same institution.

Jon attended Concordia and while there he met the love of his life, Betty. Jon and Betty shared 58 years of marriage, creating a life filled with love, laughter, and countless cherished memories.

Jon earned his Ph.D. from the University of Nebraska, which also explains his love for Cornhusker football. Regardless of the team's performance, Jon would always watch the games, and the same held true for his love of the Vikings.

Jon found his academic home at Drake University, joining the faculty in 1970 and retiring some 30 years later. He earned the respect of the university community for his dedication to students and advocacy for faculty colleagues in campus governance.

Hallmarks of his academic life included serving 19 years as the chair of the philosophy department, hosting the first national conference for the Radical Philosophers Society in 1994, founding the Philosophy of Time Society, and earning the National Endowment for the Humanities for Philosopher in Residence - the first such grant for Drake University.

But above all else at Drake, Jon got to teach. Teaching was his passion. Guiding students to improve their critical thinking and fostering open-mindedness towards ideas were skills at which he excelled. He believed that travel opened the mind and took students on adventures, including numerous trips to Cuba, mountaineering, and canyon exploration. The most important of these were the trips to Cuba. He seized the opportunity to bring the first class there legally as soon as it was available. These trips were immersed in the Cuban culture and included visits to small communities, meetings with members of the Castro Family, and some time at the beach. These experiences allowed him to provide students with the ability to see the diversity and beauty of the world.

Outside of his academic life, Jon enjoyed running, climbing mountains, playing games (especially pitch later in life), and golfing. He conquered peaks in Colorado and Mexico. Jon's dedication to running resulted in him completing three marathons and having a three-year-long stretch of daily running. He enjoyed the peace of running and thinking early in the morning.

Jon found solace and joy in the soulful rhythms of jazz and the captivating melodies of the symphony. His love for music took him to iconic jazz clubs in New York City, where he reveled in the brilliance of live performances.

Travel was important to Jon outside of academia. With Betty, Jon explored almost every European country, creating a tapestry of shared experiences and precious moments.

Jon's friends and family remember him as a funny, kind, and brilliant soul. His wit brought laughter to every gathering. Jon's passion for social justice was the guiding force in his life. Whether championing causes or standing up for the marginalized, he exemplified the belief that positive change begins with individuals committed to making a difference.

Jon created a home filled with warmth, understanding, and unity. His family was not only his anchor but also the force behind his pursuit of justice and equality.

Those left to cherish his memory are his wife Betty, son Erik (Angela) Torgerson, daughter Christine (Denis) Marchand, granddaughters Sophie and Ava Torgerson, and Sydney Marchand, and sister Malene Carlson. He was preceded in death by his parents and his sister, Susan Herbert.

A visitation will be held on Saturday, Jan. 6, from noon to 1 p.m. at St. Stephen Lutheran Church in Urbandale. A memorial service will follow at 1:00 p.m. A celebration of life will follow at 2:00 p.m. at Urbandale Golf & Country Club. Instead of flowers, memorials may be donated to the Jon N. Torgerson Scholarship Fund at Drake University. https://www.drake.edu/artsci/studentresources/fundingopportunities/jonntorgersonscholarshipfund/