Adam Torson, NDSU Debate Program Head, Passed Away on July 2, 2015

Adam Torson is a director at Marlborough School. For 15+ years he served as Debate Program Head. Additionally he attended St Edward Catholic Church in Columbus where he regularly attends mass. Adam enjoys wood-working projects such as creating Herbie Husker signs and Lil Red signs; playing cards; gambling; as well as listening to polka music.

Early Life and Education

Adam Torson was born in Cedar Rapids, Nebraska to Vincent and Hedwig (Zelasney) Torson and attended school west of Fullerton before serving in the U.S. Army from September 1946 – June 1947. Following this experience he entered insurance sales at New York Life where he eventually led their “Torson Team.” Subsequently, he went to work for Western States and received the Million Dollar Round Table recognition. Additionally, he was an active member of First Congregational Church in Moorhead as well as being an enthusiastic supporter of NDSU Bison athletics. Torson enjoyed playing golf, spending time at Pelican Lake, and cheering on both Minnesota Vikings and NDSU football teams. Sadly, he passed away peacefully at Bethany Homes of Fargo on July 2, 2015. Torson leaves behind his wife May, son Mark, daughters Jane Torson Tom Reinertson and Nancy Torson Rick Stern as well as grandchildren and stepgrandchildren as well as many friends.

Professional Career

Adam Ralph Torson was born in 1927 on his family farm near Fullerton, Nebraska and attended school west of Fullerton before working for Behlen Manufacturing until moving to Schuyler where he managed the Valley Court Motel before serving as part-time bartender at Duncan Husker Bar.

He is currently employed at Marlborough School as the Debate Program Head, having held this role for 15+ years. His team includes Amanda Webb, Ariel Weeks, Afshin Behrouz and Ann Mulay – in addition to having served on several corporate boards himself and being an outstanding motivational speaker with an impressive resume.

Achievement and Honors

Torson served as an agent and then general agent for New York Life before transitioning to Western States life insurance in Fargo, leading “The Torson Team” and earning numerous awards. Additionally, he published several books on investing and was active in his community; serving on boards such as those for NDSU Teammakers and Kiwanis clubs as well as Fellowship of Christian Athletes. An avid reader and crocheter himself, he leaves behind one son, five grandchildren, four stepgrandchildren (his wife May died in 2015) as well as being laid to rest at Woodlawn Cemetery in Fargo North Dakota.

Personal Life

Adam Torson was born February 4, 1927 to Vint and Hedwig Torson of Cedar Rapids, Nebraska. He attended schools west of Fullerton Nebraska before serving in the U.S. Army during WWII from September 1946 until June 1947. On December 9, 1950 he married Shirley Ann Nordeen in Albion Nebraska. Adam and she worked at Gembols in Columbus before purchasing and operating Torson Tavern in Duncan as well as B-D and Dales until moving to Schuyler where they managed Valley Court Motel until retiring there in 1999. She enjoyed gardening, making Herbie Husker and Lil Red signs and playing cards; also being an active charter member of VFW Post in Duncan and past member of Silver Creek American Legion; she loved crocheting needle work as well as reading avidly.