Bert L. Torrey

Despite being in the advanced stages of dementia, Bert Torrey was perfect.  So perfect, he could walk on water.  At least, that’s what he would tell anyone who asked how he was doing. “I’m perfect. I can walk on water.  Just throw a cup on the ground and let me show you.”

At restaurants, as the server was taking his order, he would always ask for two stacks of $20 bills.  And when the server would bring the check, he was quick to say, “No thanks, I’m not staying for the drawing.”  Each and every time.  It got to the point where the servers at his favorite restaurants were ready with a come-back line and a stack of play money.

He had a great sense of humor, a love for life, a calling to serve others, and most of all, he had deep selfless love for his family, his grandchildren, and all of his nieces and nephews.  However, he did not like his middle name and would insist it not be included here, but since he loved genealogy, he knows it has to be.

Bert Liley Torrey, 81, of Liberty, Mo., was found deceased on December 7, 2023. He was born March 18, 1942, in Powersville, Mo. He grew up on the family farm near Powersville, joined the United States Army in 1960, and served at Camp Holiday in South Korea. After his honorable discharge in 1963, he moved to Kansas City and started working at Sears, Roebuck and Company.  He married Rogene Murphy in 1966 and had two children.  He worked at Sears for more than 30 years, mostly as a computer specialist.  After Sears, he worked for a data services contractor until he retired in 2008.

He was an active adult member of the Boy Scouts, an Honorary Warrior in the tribe of Mic-O-Say, and camped many summers at the H. Roe Bartle Scout Reservation with his son, his grandson, and his nephew.  He was a long-time member of Gracemor Christian Church, and later Pleasant Hill Nebo Baptist Church.  He was a Freemason and a Shriner. 

In retirement, he volunteered for Ararat Shrine Hospital Transportation, was a member and treasurer of the Hospital Transport Club, the Ararat Shrine Transporters Unit, and the Northland Shrine Club.  He volunteered countless hours driving more than 300 patients and their parents to the Shriners Hospital in St. Louis, and arranged flights for patients and their families for treatment at regional Shriner hospitals and burn units.  He rarely missed a Shrine Circus, and would make sure every kid he saw took home a light-up toy.  And he loved to drive his Transport Club golf cart in parades, bringing joy to everyone around him. 

He was one of a kind, who would extend his generous love to many.  He found peace and solitude mowing his acreage with his favorite toy, his John Deere tractor.  Comfort and joy getting in the car for an afternoon joyride through the countryside, as well as trips back home to the family farm.  And warmth and love in his faith and in his family ... even when they rolled their eyes at his terrible dad jokes.

He was preceded in death by his parents, John and Marga Torrey, and his brothers Alva and Fred Torrey.  He leaves behind his wife of nearly 58 years, Rogene; his children Roberta (Patrick) Rowland, Brian (Melinda) Torrey; his grandchildren Reighann Rowland, Patrick Rowland, Elizabeth Torrey, Joseph Torrey, and Madeleine Torrey; his sister Alvera (Jim) Gibson and his sisters-in-law Glenda Roy, Coleen Torrey, and Leta Torrey; plus many nieces and nephews. 

Visitation will be on Wednesday, December 13, at 10 a.m. with a celebration of life following at 11 at Park Lawn Funeral Home, Northland Chapel, 1640 Route 291, Liberty, Mo. Memorial contributions, such as two stacks of $20 bills, can be made to the Ararat Shrine Hospital Transportation Fund, 5100 Ararat Drive, Kansas City, MO 64129.