Orwin S. Trinrud

Celebration of a Life

It's interesting how the common man and woman, all of us, have talents , opportunities for heroism, and also ongoing growth that not too many others see. Orwin Trinrud truly loved the challenges and victories he had to take on and enjoy in his earthly life. He has been a son, husband, soldier, father, engineer, played and enjoyed sports, was a pilot, racer, dancer, artist, musician, designer, grandfather, great-grandfather, friend, colleague, and caring friend. This is quite a legacy and he will always be in our hearts and part of our lives.

Dad loved to swim and fish, ice-skate and wind-race in the Wisconsin lakes, and camp in the Colorado mountains. He was an accomplished violinist in his younger years and also played cornet in the high school band. In later years, he got many trophies from go-kart races at CDR competitions, got his private pilot's license and took the family on several trips, learned to square and round dance and went often to local, state and national dances. He was proud of his Norwegian and German heritage, and joined the sons of Norway, Trollheim Lodge where he was an active member, and learned traditional Norwegian Rosemaling painting.

He started attending Wisconsin High School in 1945 where his favorite classes were math, science, shop, and mechanical drawing. He also played in the school band and played football and basketball. He lettered in basketball. Several comments made from school mates in his high school yearbooks showed he was well liked and an active part of sports, music, and other activities. Dad was always a great storyteller with a sparkling sense of humor, and an ongoing jokester. In his senior year, he attended the University of Wisconsin's College of Engineering.

He was in the Army National Guard and then spent 7 years of active duty in the Air Force during the Korean war. In his career at Martin Marietta working in the aerospace industry, Orwin worked on elements of the Redstone, the Titan 1, Titan II, Titan III and IV, the manned maneuvering unit for Mars exploration, and the Space Shuttle. Just think of how this man, with many others, were on the forefront of the world space race as it was just getting started!

Orwin loved holidays and especially Thanksgiving and Christmas. He was always a face in the photos, laughing, each year sharing creative joke presents, and loving and obviously enjoying the family including his grandchildren and great-grandchildren. He was a golfer and loved learning that sport, was part of a golfing group with Martin Marietta colleagues and was an avid square dancer and round dancer, originally part of the Belles and Beaux group. He supported several charities.

Regardless of the challenges he faced in life, he didn't run away; he ran toward and dealt with what needed to be dealt with, however hard. We want to say we love and respect and honor Orwin Samborn Trinrud today in his many roles and how he has evolved and grown as a man. He has been a son, husband, soldier, father, engineer, pilot, racer, dancer, artist, musician, designer, grandfather, great-grandfather, friend, colleague, and caring friend. This is quite a legacy and he will always be in our hearts and part of our lives.