Torsten V. Bjalme, 85, of Pleasant Gap, died February 7, 2005 at Brookline Village the Fairways.
He was born Torsten V. Anderson on October 5,1919 in Kalmar, Sweden to the late E. Ivan and Gerda Otilla Anderson Bjalme.
On September 6,1941, in Williamsport he married Mary J. LeVan who survives.
In 1931, he immigrated with his family to the United States. On July 4 of that year he and his family arrived in Bellefonte where his father was employed by the Federeal Match Corporation as manager of safety match production.
He was a graduate of Bellefonte High School in 1939.
He served with the US Army during WWII from April 1944 until February 1946 on an Ordnance Headquarters Inspection Team in the Pacific Theatre.
After his return from service he began employment with the Penn State University where he worked until his retirement in 1982, retiring as the Supervisor of Technical Services for the College of Earth and Mineral Sciences.
A man of many interests, he was trained as a private pilot by Centre County aviation pioneers Henry Noll and Sherman Lutz. He was also a gun collector, a tool die maker and a avid outdoorsman. He was a member of the QB's, State College American Legion #245, and the Mifflin County Chapter of the Experimental Aircraft Association.
In addition to his wife, he is survived by five sons, Torsten V. Bjalme, Jr. of State College,;Phillip I. Bjalme of North Lauderdale, FL,; Richard L. Bjalme of Bellefonte,; Carl G. Bjalme of Bellefonte,; and Terry J. Bjalme of Centre Hall,; one sister, Ulla Lowery of Bellefonte,; twelve grandchildren and twelve great-grandchildren. He was preceded in death by a brother, Bengt Bjalme and one sister, Gunnel Kirk.
A memorial service will be held at 11:00 A.M. on Saturday, February 12,2005 at the Eloise B. Kyper Funeral Home, 1034 Benner Pike, State College, PA 16801. Burial will be at the Centre County Memorial Park. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions can be made to Brookline Village the Fairways, 1950 Cliffside Dr., State College, PA 16801.