Robert R. Torkelson
Class: 1982
Inducted: 1999
Sport(s): Football
Bob Torkelson played both ways on his Homewood-Flossmoor (Ill.) High School team; earning all-area honors as well as being selected MVP. He entered DePauw in 1978 where he pursued a major in Economics. He was a member of Sigma Nu fraternity. He started as linebacker his freshman year and played in each of the 39 games of varsity eligibility. His coach, Nick Mourouzis, describes him as a “very tough linebacker and a great leader. He was a coach on the field for our team.” He was selected most valuable defensive player his sophomore year. Torkelson played a large part in turning around a floundering football program. The tigers finished the 1981 season 9-1, bringing back the Monon Bell for the first time in a number of years and were ranked 9th in the final NCAA Division III poll. This record was the most wins in DePauw’s history to that point. He joined the E&J Gallo Winery upon graduation and has been in the wine business ever since. He is currently the vice president of sales for the Sutter Home Winery.