David Torquati, 71, who served the University of Nebraska–Lincoln 25 years as a locksmith, died June 21.
Torquati was often heard whistling while he worked in the halls of Dear Old Nebraska U and got a kick out of it when kids at the UNL Children’s Center lined up at the fence to watch as he roared past on his motorcycle.
He was born March 31, 1954, on a military base in Wiesbaden, Germany. As a child, he relocated to Rome, Italy, with his mother and three siblings. In Italy, his family combined with that of his uncle, aunts and cousins, creating an extended family that played a pivotal role in Torquati’s transformation into a traveler, adventurer and storyteller.
As a teen, Torquati rejoined his father in New Jersey to finish high school and start what was meant to be a cross-country road trip on his Harley motorcycle. He stopped in Tucson, Arizona, and decided to stay for the good weather. He would have happily lived there forever, but his wife of 35 years, Julie Torquati, ultimately dragged him to Lincoln. At various times in his life Dave also lived in New York, Texas and Miami.
He loved all things with wheels, especially bicycles and motorcycles. He never met a timing belt he trusted and was committed to rescuing the rest of us from them. He was dedicated to his friendships and introduced younger generations to the works of John Prine and Edward Abbey. He especially enjoyed riding with the Wednesday night mountain biking crew at Platte River State Park and attending Eurobike night in the Lincoln Haymarket.
His family finds it fitting that Torquati died on the longest day of the year, as one of his great loves was spending time in remote wilderness with good weather. He camped, hiked, rode mountain bikes, and he insisted the best place to do all these things was far enough into the wild that most people couldn’t follow.
Torquati is survived by his wife, Julia Torquati, a professor in Child, Youth and Family Studies; his children Michael Zimmer (Vanessa Zimmer), Gabriel Torquati, Francesca Rohrs (Mitch Rohrs) and Sonora Torquati; his grandchildren Marleigh Zimmer, Wyatt Zimmer, Ruthie Rohrs, Orion Rohrs and Saguara Torquati; sister, Fernanda Torquati; and brother, Roberto Torquati. He was preceded in death by his parents, Luisa Pagani and Robert Torquati; and his brother, Ricky Torquati.
Torquati was a born storyteller who could be relied upon to tell the most unbelievable true(ish) stories. Hoping those stories live on, Torquati’s family asks that people share their favorite memories and photos of him online.
In lieu of acquiescing to his request that his family “put him in a sleeping bag and bury him in the desert” a la Edward Abbey, a celebration of life will be held 5 to 8 p.m. July 10 at the Jayne Snyder Trail Center, 2501 N. 21st St. Participants are asked to come ready to tell their best David Torquati stories and enjoy new tales.
The complete family obituary is available here.
