Gregory Kent "Beef" Torrey Obituary (1958

Beef Torrey, 55, of Crete, Neb., died peacefully July 3, 2013. A son, brother and friend to hundreds, Beef was passionate about literature and art. In addition to a career in psychology, Beef edited collections of interviews of well-known authors. Gregory Kent "Beef" Torrey was born March 7, 1958, in Torrington, Wyo., to Marian and Glen Torrey. He grew up in Scottsbluff, Neb., where he graduated from high school. He obtained a bachelor's degree in religion and philosophy from Doane College in Crete, Neb., and later obtained a master's degree in psychology from Southeastern Oklahoma State University. He taught college courses at Murray State College in Tishomingo, Okla., Doane College and the University of Nebraska-Lincoln. He worked as a psychologist associate at Beatrice State Developmental Center for more than a decade. At the time of his death, he was a mental health practitioner at the Veterans Affairs clinic in Lincoln. Beef enjoyed time in nature, hunting, cooking and spending time with his friends and loved ones. He was an enthusiastic supporter of The Land Institute in Salina, Kan. His passion for literature led him to develop lasting friendships with such highly regarded authors as Jim Harrison, Thomas McGuane, the late Richard Brautigan, Tom Robbins, Jim Fergus, William Hjortsberg and Roger Welsch. He also was friends with landscape painter Russell Chatham and illustrator Ralph Steadman. He edited or co-edited volumes of interviews with Hunter S. Thompson, McGuane and Robbins. He also co-edited a comprehensive bibliography of Harrison's work. He is survived by his mother and step-father, Marian and Kenneth Hoy of Scottsbluff; brother, Kurt Torrey of Martell, Neb.; his "foster" son, Eric Bobzien of Lincoln; aunts and uncles, Ethel Propp of Casper, Wyo., Phyllis and Ron Chipman of Scottsbluff, William Britthouer of Scottsbluff, and Bob Britthouer of Hennings, Tenn.; step-brothers Rocky Hoy of Colorado Springs, Colo., and Rodney Hoy of Lakewood, Colo.; and step-sister Rosann Babl of O'Neill. He is preceded in death by his father. A Memorial Service will be held at 10 a.m., Saturday, July 13, at Heckman Auditorium on the campus of Doane College in Crete. In lieu of flowers, please direct memorials to Doane College or The Land Institute.