Lee O. III Torr, 78, died at his home in Monte Rio on Feb. 28.

Lee was born in San Mateo and was a lifelong resident of Monte
Rio. He was a U.S. Army veteran, serving during World War II. A
Realtor since 1947 and an insurance broker, he was the owner of
Torr Realty Co. and Insurance Agency since 1968, when he took over
the business founded by his father in 1943. In 1964 he was
appointed by State Controller Alan Cranston to serve as Inheritance
Tax Appraiser for Sonoma County, a position he held until 1969. He
was a member of the National, State and local Association of
Realtors, the Monte Rio Chamber of Commerce, the Sebastopol VFW
Post and Russian River Sportsman Club, Inc. In 1953 he was one of
the founding members of the Russian River Region, Inc., an
organization promoting tourism in the area, which was a first in
Sonoma County. He was also a long-time member of the Sonoma County
Democratic Central Committee, as well as a member of the Cardinal
Newman Board of Regents in the 1970’s. Between 1957 and 1977, he
served on the Sonoma County Planning Commission. He was a founding
member, director, and later served as Secretary of the Monte Rio
Park and Recreation District. Lee was proud of his lengthy
relationship with the Monte Rio Fire Protection District, serving
as assistant chief and later as an elected director. He enjoyed
politics and loved spending time with family, especially his
grandchildren. Lee is survived by his wife of 53 years, Jeanie
Torr, children Michael Torr and wife Valerie, Lee O. Torr IV,
Michele McDonell and husband Mark, and Brian D. Torr, five
grandchildren Kelsey Torr, Kyle Torr, Gabriella Torr, Patrick
McDonell and Christopher McDonell as well as cousin Sharon
Richardson and husband Steve of Vancover, WA.
Donations in his memory may be made to the Monte Rio Volunteer
Firemens Association, P.O. Box 536, Monte Rio, CA 95462, or
Cardinal Newman Academic Foundation, 50 Ursuline Rd., Santa Rosa,
CA 95403, or the St. Rose School, 4300 Old Redwood Hwy., Santa
Rosa, CA 95403.