Milton J. Torres

1931 - 2015

TORRES, MILTON J., MAJOR, USAF Retired, PhD, passed away peacefully at home in Miami, Florida, on Sunday, October 25, 2015. He was born in Queens, New York to Milton and Vitalia Torres on July 28, 1931. He was 84 years old. He is survived by his wife, Dorothy, his sons, Milton, III (wife Nelia) and Geoffrey (wife Marides), his stepson, Jim, his stepdaughter, Cheryl (husband Rick), his beloved grandchildren and many friends. He is pre-deceased by his daughter, Vicky, his stepdaughter, Jeanne, and his grandchild, Chris. Major Torres enlisted in the air force in 1951 and was accepted into pilot cadet training shortly thereafter. He was awarded his pilot's wings and flew F-86Ds in Perrin AFB, Texas, and RAF Station Manston in England during the cold war. The military sent him to the University of Oklahoma where he acquired his Bachelor's degree in General Engineering and his Master's degree in Aerospace Engineering. He was then assigned to the Air Force Eastern Test Range as a range control officer in Patrick AFB, Florida, from the end of the Mercury space program through the end of the Gemini program. He then received orders to fly combat in Vietnam from 1967-1968 and flew over 300 missions as a Forward Air Control pilot in the O-1 Bird Dog and upon completion, was reassigned to Cape Canaveral as Chief of Range Control during the Apollo space program. He retired from the air force in 1971. He went on to acquire his Doctorate in Mechanical Engineering at the University of Miami in Coral Gables and became a professor at Florida International University in Miami, Florida until he fully retired in 2001. He received the Air Force Distinguished Flying Cross, the Air Force Commendation Medal and many others as well as commendations, awards and certificates for his many accomplishments. Major Torres enjoyed traveling, gourmet cuisine, and when he was younger, playing Jai-alai. The Torres family would like to thank the Veteran's Administration and Vitas Hospice for their exceptional care and compassion throughout his illness. A memorial service will be held on Friday, October 30, 2015 at the Matheson Hammock Park, 9610 Old Cutler Rd., Coral Gables, Florida at 2:00 PM.