Darwin G. Thorbeck

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Thorbeck, Darwin G. passed away peacefully on January 26, at the Roper Hospital in Charleston, S.C. at the age of 76. Born in Bagley, Minnesota on November 16, 1938, he was the son of Dave and Emma (Hanson) Thorbeck. He worked at his father's gas service station and farm in this small rural community. He graduated from Bagley High School in 1956. He attended Augsburg College in Minneapolis, after which he enlisted and served in the U.S. Army and received an appointment to West Point. He attended the University of Minnesota and graduated with a degree in Journalism. He worked at WTCN TV, Channel 11 in Minneapolis as the late night news and weather reporter. Darwin moved to New York City and became an early believer in the power of electronic data processing. In the early 1970's, he founded Thor Data Inc., a pioneering firm in inventory management and market research, which counted amongst its clients Kings County Hospital and General Foods. He married his wife, Dr. Romola Karumbaya, a neuro-surgeon from Scranton, PA on December 23, 1984 in Bangalore, India. Darwin was a citizen of the world; he traveled extensively and enjoyed meeting people from various cultures. He loved tennis, and enjoyed woodworking, landscaping, history, genealogy and photography. He created a tranquil garden at their home in Scranton, PA, a welcoming place for family and friends. He was a loving and devoted husband, sibling, uncle and friend. Friends, both old and new, were always important to him. Surviving, in addition to his wife, are his brothers Duane and Orlan Thorbeck and sister, Sara Forsberg, of Minnesota. He is also fondly remembered by numerous nieces, nephews, grand-nieces and grand-nephews from around the world. Cremation arrangements were entrusted to James A. McAlister, Inc, Funeral Home, Charleston, South Carolina. Ms. Bonnie Torrence, a chaplain at Roper Hospital, led a small gathering of family and friends in remembering Darwin's full life and the impact he had on all of us. A celebration of Darwin's life will be held at a future date. Memorial contributions can be made to heifer.org or woundedwarriorproject.org. The family would like to thank the medical community of Roper Hospital in Charleston, for their professional attention and emotional support during Darwin's hospitalization.

Published on February 15, 2015