Obituary of John Richard Toren

J. Richard Toren of Morgantown, veteran West Virginia journalist and former editor of the Dominion-Post, died Saturday evening, June 22, 2013 in Morgantown. He was 88. Toren was named editor in 1974 after 26 years as a United Press International Reporter and News Executive in West Virginia, Pennsylvania and Ohio. During his tenure at the paper, the Dominion Post led a campaign for adoption of the present city charter, ending several years of stalemate under the old 14-member City Council. Before his retirement in 1987, Toren spent 10 years as Associate Director of University Relations at West Virginia University. In 1996 he received the P.I. Reed Achievement Award given annually by the WVU School of Journalism for "significant contributions to the journalism profession." Born in Cincinnati, OH on May 31, 1925, he was a son of the late G. Walker Toren and Alberta Burch Toren. He served in the U.S. Army Air Force in World War II. He spent a year at the University of Cincinnati before entering the WVU Journalism School and graduating in 1948. He was News Editor of the WVU Daily Athenaeum and President of the Newman Club. Toren was also a first -string debater, along with the late Leonard Davis, for three years at WVU. They debated Oxford in 1948, the first such international contest held in Morgantown in a decade at that time. Toren joined the UPI upon graduation and served as West Virginia Manager, Pennsylvania News Editor and Regional Executive before returning to Morgantown as the Dominion Post Editor. He was a member of the Society of Professional Journalists and served as Vice President of its Pittsburgh chapter, and President of the Huntington-Charleston chapter. He was twice President of the WVU Journalism Alumni Association. In 1977, Toren joined the WVU University Relations staff and became Director of the Medical Center news service. He was the acting Director of University Relations when he retired. He was a member of St. Mary Roman Catholic Church in Star City and the Morgantown Serra Club. He was a volunteer driver for Meals on Wheels for 18 years and served on its Board of Directors. He was also a board member of the Appalachian Lifelong Learners at WVU, and a former Rotarian. He enjoyed tennis and played year around until his eighties, but said that "in recent years it was mainly old fogey doubles, as much social as athletic." Toren loved the grand opera, starting as a fan of Metropolitan stars at the Cincinnati Summer Opera when he was 16. He attended scores of performances in this country and in London, Rome and Naples. He is survived by his wife, Jean Ann Halloran Toren; six children, Mary Jean Toren of Tucson, AZ, Thomas G. Toren of Orinda, CA, Robert J. Toren of Oakland, CA, Mrs. Jeffrey (Joan) Schmidt of Sparks, NV, Anne F. Toren of Morgantown, and Mrs. Beth (Sean A. Murphy) Toren of Morgantown; two grandchildren, Lisa Schmidt of Reno, NV and Ethan Schmidt of Boise, ID; and two sisters in law, Shirley Halloran of Cincinnati, OH and Judy Halloran of Ft. Lauderdale, FL. In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by 4 sisters and two brothers. Family and friends will be received at Hastings Funeral Home, 153 Spruce St., Morgantown from 6-8 PM on Monday, June 24th. The Scriptural Wake Service will be recited at 7:30 PM Monday in the funeral home to conclude the visitation. On Tuesday, June 25th, Mr. Toren will be moved to St. Mary Roman Catholic Church in Star City, WV where visitation will take place from 10 AM until the celebration of the Mass of Christian Burial at 11 AM with Father John V. DiBacco as celebrant. Following the Mass and in honoring Mr. Toren's wishes, he will be cremated and inurnment will follow in St. Mary's Peace Garden Mausoleum at a later date.