David Torquati

We are devastated to announce the death of David John Torquati, who passed on from this world on June 21. We find it fitting that Dave died on the longest day of the year, as one of his great loves was spending time in remote wilderness with good weather. He camped, he hiked, he rode mountain bikes, and he insisted the best place to do all of these things was far enough into the wild that “assholes couldn’t follow.”

Dave was born on March 31, 1954, on a military base in Wiesbaden, Germany. As a child he relocated to Rome, Italy with his mom and 3 siblings, where his family combined with that of his uncle, aunt, and cousins. This large extended family played a pivotal part in his life and deeply influenced the traveler, adventurer, and storyteller he became. As a teen Dave rejoined his father in New Jersey, finished high school, and began what was meant to be a cross-country road trip on his Harley. He stopped in Tucson, Arizona, and decided to stay for the good weather. He would have happily lived there forever, but his wife of 35 years, Julie Torquati, ultimately dragged him to Lincoln, Nebraska. At various times in his life Dave also lived in New York, Texas, and Miami. There may have been more places too, we’re not sure—he was a wild guy.

Dave loved all things with wheels, especially bicycles and motorcycles. He never met a timing belt he trusted, and was committed to rescuing the rest of us from them too. He was dedicated to his friendships and introduced younger generations to the works of John Prine and Edward Abbey. He especially enjoyed riding with the Wednesday night mountain biking crew at Platte River State Park and attending Eurobike night in the Lincoln Haymarket.

Dave retired from the University of Nebraska-Lincoln in 2020 after 25 years of service as a locksmith. He was often heard whistling in the halls and he got a kick out of it when kids at the Campus Children’s Center lined up at the fence to watch him roar past on his motorcycle.

David is survived by his wife, Julia Torquati; his children Michael Zimmer (Vanessa Zimmer), Gabriel Torquati, Francesca Rohrs (Mitch Rohrs), and Sonora Torquati; his grandchildren Marleigh Zimmer, Wyatt Zimmer, Ruthie Rohrs, Orion Rohrs, and Saguara Torquati; Caitlin Walsh; his sister Fernanda Torquati, and his brother Roberto Torquati. He was preceded in death by his parents, Luisa Pagani and Robert Torquati, and his brother, Ricky Torquati. We know he has been happily reunited with them, his beloved aunt Fernanda, uncle Ettore, and cousin Minnie, as well as all the many, many dogs that he loved throughout his life.

Dave was a born storyteller who could be relied upon to tell the most unbelievable true-ish stories. We hope his stories will live on among his family and friends and so ask that you please share with us your favorite memories and photos of David on his memorial page. In lieu of acquiescing to his request that we “put him in a sleeping bag and bury him in the desert” a la Edward Abbey, we are celebrating Dave with a party at the Jayne Snyder Trail Center from 5-8pm on July 10, 2025. Please come prepared to tell us all your best Dave stories as well as enjoy some new tales you’ve never heard before.

In lieu of flowers, consider a donation in David’s memory to the ASPCA or St. Jude Children’s Hospital.