John Torphy, former vice chancellor, passes away

Former UW–Madison Vice Chancellor for Administration John Torphy, a long-time state and university official known for his brilliant mastery of budget issues, died in Tucson, Ariz. on Sunday, Oct. 2.

Torphy, 71, served as vice chancellor from 1989 to 2003, overseeing the university’s fiscal and administrative matters. Despite being one of the Madison campus’ top officials and chief numbers cruncher, he never had a computer in his office and typically drafted major documents in longhand. Further defying the image of a high-ranking state and university administrator, co-workers never saw him in a suit and tie.

A Phi Beta Kappa graduate of the UW in 1962 with a degree in history, Torphy served in the Peace Corps in the Dominican Republic and as an advisor to the Dominican government and the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico. He worked in such varied jobs as program director for the Latin American Region of the Peace Corps and assistant deputy mayor of San Francisco.

Making his way back to Wisconsin, Torphy served as state budget director under Gov. Patrick Lucey, Secretary of Administration for Gov. Martin Schreiber, and in top positions in the Department of Health and Social Services in the Tony Earl and Tommy Thompson administrations.

“John came to our campus with an encyclopedic knowledge of the state budget, giving him unparalleled qualifications to lead the university’s financial and administrative affairs,” said UW–Madison Interim Chancellor David Ward who, as vice chancellor, hired Torphy for the budget job. “He was as unassuming as he was brilliant, and those of us who had the pleasure of working with him will always remember those unique qualities.”

Torphy also taught UW graduate courses in public policy development, decision-making and capital budgeting and finance.

He is survived by his wife Helen in Tucson, son Sean of San Diego, Calif., and brother Dan of Pewaukee, Wis. John and Helen had retired to Florida after he completed his UW service, and moved to Arizona about a year and a half ago.

Torphy told The Capital Times upon his retirement: “I’m thankful for a wonderful family, and I’m thankful for the opportunity over 41 years to do lots and lots of jobs that were challenging and fun. And most of all I’m thankful for lots of people who were willing to put up with me. They made me look awfully good over a period of time.”

A memorial will be held on Thursday, Nov. 10 at 3 p.m. in the Memorial Union.