On Monday, November 3, 2008, Tim Torpin, fellow coin dealer and beloved friend, husband, and father, died of heart failure following open-heart surgery. Tim is survived by his wife, Mary Jane, son Carleton, and daughter Jane. His family includes sister Lynda Antonsen (Torpin) of Le Sueur, MN; brother Geoffrey of Ramona CA; brother Larry Boedeker of Willow, AK; sister Laurie Thevenot (Boedeker)of Plano, TX; sister Lisa Johnson (Boedeker) of Wasilla, AK; and many nieces, nephews and cousins. Tim's father, Holly (Charles Hollister) was born in Oakdale, Nebraska and his mother (Marceil Doreen Boedeker, maiden name: Doty then Torpin) was born in Spencer, SD. Tim was born in Mitchell, South Dakota, and soon moved to Cherokee, Iowa, early in his childhood. Tim became interested in numismatics in 1961 and it was then when he met Lyn Knight and they fueled each others' passion for the hobby. During those years, Tim and Lyn were "partners" as teenagers would have it in Cherokee Coin Supply on the side porch of the Knight house. Budding entrepreneurs, they went their own ways during high school. Tim graduated from Washington High School in Cherokee, Iowa in 1969. Tim attended college at the University of Northern Iowa and later served in the United States Navy. Upon his discharge he joined P & I Coins in Sioux City, Iowa, and later with the House of Stuart and Fred Sweeney Rare Coins in Kansas City. In 1978, he moved to the San Diego area to work with American Coin Portfolios. TKT Enterprises was started around 1980 and since that time Tim traveled extensively throughout America as a coin buyer.

Tim was well-known within the numismatic community and greatly respected for his extensive knowledge of American numismatics, his honesty, and especially his goodnature. He would attend each Long Beach Coin Show armed with a tub of fresh baked cookies or brownies, specially made by his wife Mary Jane, for distribution at the event. Tim was a "road warrior," often making extensive road trips, visiting dealers and coin shops across the country, usually on his way to a coin show. His warm personality and friendliness will be missed by all who knew him.

A Memorial Service will be held for Tim Torpin on Friday, November 14, 2008 at 10:00am at the Church of the Good Shepherd, 3990 Bonita Road, Bonita, CA. (619) 479-0943. There will be a short reception following the memorial at the same location. The family requests that instead of sending flowers, all donations in Tim's memory should be directed to the American Heart Association or the American Numismatic Association of Colorado Springs, Colorado, Young Numismatist program.