Jaime Torres-Rivera was born in Playa-Ponce, Puerto Rico on December 22nd, 1943. From an early age Jaime excelled in school and graduated with honors from several esteemed institutions, including three United States Air Force educational academies. He obtained his Bachelor’s Degree in Chemistry and a Master of Arts Degree in Education from Pepperdine University.
Jaime was a distinguished and proud member of the United States military and began his career in 1967 at Officer Training School at Lackland Air Force Base in San Antonio, Texas where he was commissioned as a second lieutenant. Jaime ultimately retired as Lieutenant Colonel.
Col. Torres traveled the globe serving his country, including running a turnaround operation in Vietnam (1969) and serving as senior regional advisor for political- military strategy while stationed in the Republic of Panama (1985-1988). His innovative ideas were catalysts in re-establishing bilateral relations between the United States, Argentina and Chile. During his tenure he commanded two squadrons, the 3704th and the 3703rd at the Air Force Basic Military Training Center and led the command’s logistics support to Operation Desert Shield/Storm.
Col. Torres was an educator at heart and after a year of retirement joined Howe-Stowe State College to manage and implement a new US Department of Education program. Soon thereafter, he was appointed as the College’s first Director of International Programs. After his tenure at Harris-Stowe, he was recruited and appointed by St. Louis Community College as Director of International Education – the first Hispanic in that position.
Col. Torres was consistently active in his community, served on several boards and committees, and was very active in church choir. Col. Torres was also Director of St. Louis La Solucion Latina Orchestra. Col. Torres loved singing and salsa dancing.
He was blessed with a loving family. He married his best friend, Raquel, on December 15th, 1973 in Oahu, Hawaii. Col. Torres raised his two incredible daughters, Erica Juanita and Rebecca Luciana, with patience, discipline and humility. He taught them to be independent and proud. Col. Torres, better known as Dad, will be missed dearly by his loved ones.
Col. Torres went home to be with the Lord and his daughter Erica on Friday, August 26th, 2022. He is survived by his wife, Raquel; his daughter, Rebecca; his grandson Luca Anthonio; his sisters Elsie and Emelina; and his brothers Andres and Tony. Surviving brother and sisters in-law include: Charles Mirabal, Miriam and Margarita Torres.
Funeral Services will be held on Wednesday, August 31, 2022 at 1:00 pm at Newcomer Funeral Home – Winter Park Chapel, 3806 Howell Branch Rd, Winter Park, LF.
Jaime’s services will be livestreamed at the scheduled service time. Click Here to view services.
Visitation will precede the service on Wednesday from 12:00 pm – 1:00 pm at the funeral home.