Robert “Bob” Torrey

Bishopville

Robert “Bob” Torrey, 67, of Bishopville, died June 13, 2023 after a brief battle with cancer.

He was born on June 7, 1956, to William A. Torrey Jr. and Jeanne Young Torrey in Washington DC. He moved to Salisbury at age 8. He graduated from James M. Bennett High School in 1974, then continued his education at Goldey-Beacom College where he graduated with an associate’s degree in business in 1976.

On Oct. 8, 1977, he married his high school sweetheart, Donna Banks. They have four children: Erin, Megan, Ashley, and Zac.

Bob’s passion in life was business. He owned and operated many different businesses over the years, but his true pride and joy was his very first, Happy Jack Pancake House in Ocean City. He took over Happy Jack at the age of 26, with no restaurant experience, little money, and no training, but overcame it all and helped it become the wildly popular establishment it is today. He worked every day the restaurant was open, seven days a week for seven months a year, every year. All of his children worked at the restaurant and many of the employees became like family.

He was an active member of several associations and committees in the Ocean City area: OCHMRA, OCDC, and active in AGH as a volunteer. He loved being involved in his community. He was a car lover, especially Mercedes-Benz; his father introduced the brand to Salisbury in the 1970s. He loved travel, the beach, and Jimmy Buffett music. He was known to burst into “Five O’clock Somewhere” at any time, had a great sense of humor and a big heart.

Bob is survived by his loving wife of 45 years, Donna; his children: Erin Ranney and her husband Paul, Megan Alvarado and her husband Juan, Ashley Schmitt and her husband Jake, and Zachary; his grandchildren: Kaitlyn, Aiden, Michael, Lucy, Timothy, and Nathan; his brothers William A. Torrey III and his wife Pam, and John F. Torrey and his wife Lisa; and his nieces and nephew: Candace, James, Emily, and Katherine. He also leaves behind a huge work family, both past and present. He was preceded in death by his parents.

Visitation will be held from noon to 2 p.m., June 23, at Holloway Funeral Home in Salisbury and a memorial service will follow at 2 p.m.

Memorial gifts may be made to the Parkinson’s Foundation via their website, Parkinson.org or the American Cancer Society via their website, donate.cancer.org.