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JOHN KLOPP Prominent Albuquerque psychiatrist John K. Torrens, MD, 87, died peacefully October 30, 2007 after a short intense fight with cancer. A native of Minneapolis, the only child of James Torrens and Nancy Klopp Torrens, Dr. Torrens was born on February 8, 1920. He received his undergraduate and medical degrees from the University of Minnesota and served a residency at West Suburban Hospital, Oak Park, Illinois. In early 1945, while serving as a psychiatrist with the US Army, he met a young Army nurse, Marie Hansen; they married July 21, 1947 after John left active duty and Marie returned from duty in occupied Japan. The couple moved to Galveston where John took a three year residency in psychiatry at the University of Texas Medical School. From there, they spent four years in Chicago where Dr. Torrens was a candidate at the Institute for Psychoanalysis. Their move to Albuquerque in 1954 was permanent; Dr. Torrens established a practice with the late Warren Brown, MD, and John and Marie became active community leaders while raising a daughter and son. Dr. Torrens closed his practice in 1990; but in his years of active practice he was influential in many professional organizations and also in the founding of the Department of Psychiatry at the UNM School of Medicine. He was involved for over two decades as a clinical professor at UNM and taught an annual seminar on forensic psychiatry. In 1972, John was the first president and "founding father" of the New Mexico Psychiatric Association. He was also a past president of the Bernalillo County Medical Society, a past president of the Inter-Mountain Psychiatric Association, served as a consultant to the Albuquerque Veterans Hospital, was a member of the American Academy of Psychiatry and the Law, and a board certified forensic psychiatrist. He received the AAPL Award for his service to the Academy of Psychiatry and the Law. John loved his family, his country, his profession, music, baseball, golf and bridge. An accomplished pianist, Dr. Torrens was the volunteer "between service" organist at Central United Methodist Church from 1954 to 1980. He attended every Albuquerque Dukes game until the franchise was sold, played golf with his friends at Four Hills Country Club-- where he was a Life Member-and played bridge with his Monday night foursome from 1959 until just weeks before his death. In addition to his wife of 60 years, he is survived by their two children Julia (Julie) Torrens, Oneonta, NY and James (Jimmy) Torrens, Delta, Colorado. Cremation has taken place; a Memorial Service will be held on Sunday, November 4, 2007 3:00 in the afternoon in the Chapel of Central United Methodist Church, 1615 Copper Avenue NE, Albuquerque. In lieu of flowers, should friends wish, contributions in John's memory may be sent to the Albuquerque Garden Center, 10120 Lomas Blvd. NE, Albuquerque, 87122 or the Animal Humane Association of New Mexico, 615 Virginia SE, Albuquerque, 87108 or to a charity of your choice.
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