ROBERT TORRAY

1937 - 2021

TORRAY Robert Elliott Torray April 10, 1937 - May 10, 2021 Robert Elliott Torray died peacefully on May 10 in Washington, DC. He was comforted by the love of his adored wife of 35 years, Nancy Torray, children, Lynn Thoré, Lisa Banks, Kelly Torray-Garcia, Tracey West, Chris Peirce, Drew Peirce, sons-in-law, Alex Garcia and Michael West, daughters-in-law, Renee Peirce and Patty Peirce, his sister, Janet Ghaly, and thirteen grandchildren. He was 84. Born on April 10, 1937, in Washington, DC, "Bob" lived his life with passion, enthusiasm, and an extraordinary commitment to helping others. A 1959 graduate of Duke University, where he was President of the Student Body and played on the tennis team, Mr. Torray became a successful businessman, founding Torray LLC, a pension and institutional investment management company in 1972. Mr. Torray was a leader in his industry, serving as a director of several financial institutions and deftly navigating the stock market with experienced wisdom and a touch of intuitive genius. He was known for his long-term, buy-and-hold strategy, from which he never wavered. In 1991, he started a mutual fund, The Torray Fund. Bob was much-loved by his office staff, many of whom worked for him for decades. He could be found sitting at his desk in the trading room, monitoring the activity of the stock market and reading his favorite daily newspapers. Bob was a philanthropist of the most unique kind, devoted to making life better for others, one person at a time. He often said, "I get back so much more than I give." He generously shared his success with causes that he cared about, like the DC Central Kitchen, Court Appointed Special Advocates and The Salvation Army. He also improved the lives of countless individuals after reading a news article about their predicament or hearing about their needs from colleagues and friends. He was unfailingly generous with loved ones, friends, and anyone he sensed needed a hand. Throughout his life, Mr. Torray supported scores of young people through college, medical and law school after reading that difficult circumstances were limiting their potential. He funded scholarships at numerous colleges and universities including Duke, Maryland, Baylor, Montgomery College, St. Lawrence, and Carnegie Mellon. He was gratified by the many calls and letters he received from students who shared their progress and noted how his support changed their lives. One particular story exemplifies Bob's distinctive largesse. In March 1998, while reading in The Washington Post about the Anacostia High School football team that had won the championship, he was dismayed to learn that the school's band had to borrow uniforms for the championship game. Mr. Torray covered the cost of 100 new band uniforms and gave the school additional money to pay for instrument repairs. Across the decades, those he helped remained in touch with Mr. Torray. They spoke of him with great affection and gratitude, often noting that he was like a father to them. It was not unusual for someone to share that they would not be where they are today without Bob's help. Bob was an avid sportsman and competitor who loved golf, tennis, fishing, and flying. For 30 years, he relished stopping by his favorite spot, The Burning Tree Club in Bethesda, Maryland, to share spirited conversation with friends as the "leader" of the affectionately dubbed "Table of Knowledge." He was also a talented and creative soul, who painted, played piano and guitar by ear, and loved singing into a microphone at any opportunity that presented itself. A perpetual optimist, Mr. Torray frequently declared, "I've never had a bad day in my life." He was most passionate about his beloved wife Nancy, to whom he was devoted, as she was to him. Bob and Nancy enjoyed golf, dinner, and laughs with many friends as they traveled among their homes in Washington, DC, Nantucket, Palm Springs, and Pebble Beach. Bob also adored his children, whom he called daily to check-in on and try out his latest joke. Bob Torray was a mighty man with an immense - yet humble - presence who delighted in everything and everyone around him. He lived with great heart and joy and will be deeply missed by all whose lives he touched. A Celebration of Life is planned for a later date. www.JosephGawlers.com www.JosephGawlers.com