On Friday, December 10^th, 2021, Robert Joseph Tormey, beloved brother, uncle, godfather and friend, died unexpectedly at – in his words – the “older-than-dirt” age of 73. While the news of Bob’s sudden death has crippled the hearts of his surviving seven siblings, we find comfort in knowing that he passed away while doing one of his favorite things on earth: traveling, adding yet another live concert to his already-impressive list of shows, and happily sharing every minute of it with us through texts, videos and photos – just like he always did.

Bob was born on October 23, 1948, in Erie, Pennsylvania to Robert DePaul and Mary Ellen (Scarry) Tormey. He and his younger sister, Mary Katherine, were small children when his parents drove across the country in their Chevy sedan to embark on a new life in Southern California. They settled in Long Beach and, as the family grew, bought a four-bedroom, 1.5 bath house in Downey where they would raise all eight of their children.

Bob graduated from Don Bosco Technical Institute High School in Rosemead, California in 1966. He attended Cerritos Community College for two years, earning an Associate of Arts degree in History, and enlisted in the United States Air Force in the summer of 1969. Bob completed Basic Training at Lackland AFB in San Antonio, Texas, and, two years later, enrolled in the ROTC program at the University of Oklahoma in Norman. This is where Bob fell in love with the Oklahoma Sooners and managed, over the next five decades, to convert his entire family – including seven nieces and nine nephews before many even learned to talk – into diehard OU fandom. He graduated from OU with a Bachelor’s degree in Journalism in 1972.

Bob earned his Master’s degree in Public Administration while stationed at Maxwell AFB in Alabama in 1988. After 20 years’ of assignments ranging from administrative positions to working with the nuclear missile launch program, Bob retired as a Major in the Air Force in May of 1989. He last served as the safety officer for Vandenberg AFB in California. 

Still devoted to his Oklahoma Sooners, Bob moved back to Norman after his military retirement and worked briefly at OU’s campus radio station before accepting a Public Information Officer position at the Norman Public Library System. Given Bob’s impressive organizational skills, research abilities and general belief that “If you read, you will succeed,” this was a dream job that he loved very much. He worked at the library for 10 years, making lifelong friends, before moving back to California to help care for his elderly mother in Escondido.

Bob was the reliable force that held the Tormeys together. He cared deeply about everyone he loved, and he loved deeply – with a generous, accepting heart. Those who were fortunate enough to have known Bob will miss his unconditional kindness, his willingness to be “present” in celebrations as well as challenges, his solid preparedness at all times, and his unshakeable support for his family and friends. He would want us to remember him smiling, while proudly flashing the “Number 1” sign that was his trademark pose in family pictures. He would want us to cheer for the Sooners. And he would want us, more than anything else, to love each other with all of our hearts.

Bob was preceded in death by his parents, Robert and Mary Tormey. Left with a lifetime of precious memories are seven siblings: Mary Katherine Clark of Temecula, California; Thomas (Carol) Tormey of Prescott, Arizona; William Tormey of Mission Viejo, California; Donald (Bonnie) Tormey of West Des Moines, Iowa; Richard Tormey of Murrieta, California; Dennis (Suzie) Tormey of Menifee, California; and Timothy (Randy) Tormey of Sacramento, California – as well as 16 nieces and nephews and 12 great-nieces and nephews – all of whom he dearly loved. 

Fly high, Bob. And Boomer Sooner!