Daren S. Trowbridge

Daren S. Trowbridge of River Falls, WI died peacefully at home on January 31, 2025, after a third bout with cancer he just could not shake. He was born in Bloomer on December 21, 1970, to Buckshot and Susan (McFarlane) Trowbridge.

Daren is survived by his parents: Susan and Buckshot; children: Brennen and Margaret “Meg” Trowbridge; significant other: Jac Campbell; brothers: Dean (Lori) and Dwain “Frog” Trowbridge; sister: Dawn (Jerimy) Hallsten; nephews: Corre (Britt) Trowbridge, Caleb (Ashley) Trowbridge; nieces: Tuula and Annika Hallsten; grand-nephew: Landon Trowbridge; grand-nieces: Ava, Adley and Caylee Trowbridge; close friends: Martin Hoffsten, Dave Horness, Tomas and Danessa Rofkahr, Todd and Sherri Hardisty, and too many more to name. 

 He was preceded in death by his brother: Dustin “Scruff” Trowbridge.

 Daren grew up in Central Wisconsin and attended New Auburn School where he achieved state honors playing football. He was an avid outdoorsman enjoying time spent at his family’s farm and as an adult during deer season. Daren attended the University of Wisconsin-River Falls. He served in the 325 Airborne as a paratrooper. 

 During his time living away from home, Daren met Tomas and Danessa Rofkahr and their son, Sean. Daren was a natural caregiver and created a bond with Sean, visiting the local comic shop and various restaurants around town. He spent time in Vicenza Italy with Tomas and they were known to jump out of perfectly good airplanes on a regular basis. His time in the military was particularly important to him and he has shared many memories of those times. He especially loved talking about taking his bike (Reggie) out with the other guys and mountain biking. They biked everywhere. 

 After he left the military, Daren spent his career as a computer/systems engineer and enjoyed his work life balance immensely. Among his achievements was helping to construct a server farm for Star Wars’ special effect team and creating a fingerprint scanning system still in use today.

 He was married to Kim Manning and later divorced. From this marriage gave him two children, Brennen and Margaret “Meg,” who were always his pride and joy. He was especially close with them for the last couple of years and enjoyed his visits with them in Florida and River Falls.

One of his joys in life was a group of people he gamed with. They have a Fortnite group of regulars and are dubbed the OMFG (Old Man Fortnite Group). The game play was loud, ribald, raucous, and full of laughs. The men and woman he played with are friends for life.

In the past year he fulfilled a bucket list item of riding his motorcycle (with only one stop) to Devils Tower and spending time with the men from Fortnite who all met in Wyoming. It was two days filled with biking around Devils Tower, Deadwood, Washington Monument, a little Gambling, Sturgis, and good food. Always known for being the go-to guy for help when needed, or conflict solution provider, he was always ready to lend a hand. He will be missed. For all who knew him, “although it's difficult today to see beyond the sorrow, may looking back in memory help comfort you tomorrow."

A memorial service will be held on Saturday, February 15, 2025, at 12:00 PM at the White Pine Pavillion in Bloomer, with a visitation from 10:00-12:00 PM, at the White Pine on Saturday. Military Honors will be conducted by the New Auburn American Legion Post #267. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations are preferred to the New Auburn Area Veterans Memorial- Attn: Veda Reed: 10040 270th Ave. New Auburn, WI 54757