Joel Torstenson, an engaging professor

Joel Torstenson of Minneapolis founded the Sociology Department at Augsburg College in Minneapolis and was a pioneer in promoting sophisticated internships and practical study outside the classroom.

Torstenson, who also helped lead several high-profile civil and human rights groups beginning in the late 1940s, died Oct. 18 in Minneapolis. He was 94.

Torstenson began teaching at Augsburg in 1937 as an undergraduate. After graduating in 1938, he worked in education for Farmers Co-ops, taught part time at Augsburg and earned a master's degree at the University of Minnesota.

During the 1940s, he was a pacifist and established a cooperative farm community in Robbinsdale. He also worked for Midland Cooperatives.

In 1947, he returned to Augsburg while completing work on his Ph.D. in sociology at the University of Minnesota. At Augsburg, he established the Departments of Social Work and Sociology.

Martin Sabo, a former longtime member of the U.S. House who took two classes from Torstenson, said, "He was easy to listen to, and he was challenging. He tried to make people think."

Garry Hesser, an Augsburg professor of sociology and director of the school's metro-urban studies program, said Torstenson proposed early on that colleges and students be engaged in their urban environment and work for community justice.

In the 1960s, Torstenson did research on the role of urban campuses, a study that was "20 to 30 years ahead of its time in spelling out what we would mean by civic engagement and community-based learning as a fundamental part of higher education," Hesser said.

He said Torstenson was the "founding father" and first president of Higher Education Consortium for Urban Affairs. The group comprises 17 colleges and universities, including Augsburg and the University of Minnesota, that shape study programs off campus and abroad.

Among several human rights groups in which he served was Hubert Humphrey's Counsel on Human Relations; he was chairman from 1948 to 1950. In 1963, he served on Minneapolis' commission on human relations.

In a March 20, 1962, Minneapolis Star article, Torstenson urged suburban dwellers to shun segregation. Segregation might cause "our children to become disenchanted with the democratic values that have nourished us," he warned.

Torstenson, a native of Dawson, Minn., retired from Augsburg in 1978. In retirement, he volunteered at the precinct and ward level for the DFL, continued to teach at Augsburg and helped form a Scandinavian cultural group.

He is survived by his wife of 68 years, Frances; daughters Carol McCausland of Warner, N.H., Ruth Ann LeMasters of Cochrane, Wis., Linnea Torstenson of St. Paul and Janice Marie; a son, Garry of Coralville, Iowa; nine grandchildren, and three great-grandchildren.

A service will be held at 5 p.m. today at the Foss Center, Riverside and 22nd Avenues S., Minneapolis. Visitation will begin at 4 p.m. at the center.

Ben Cohen • bcohen@startribune.com