Richard C. Townsend
Richard C. Townsend, resident of Glendale, Wisconsin, former longtime resident of Belleville, IL born Thursday, November 27, 1924, in Anna, IL. Dick died peacefully on March 8, 2012 at the age of 87.
Dick was a longtime science teacher at Cahokia Public Schools and a longtime Yellowstone National Park Ranger. He was a U.S. Marine during WWI in the Pacific Theatre. Longtime member of St. Matthew United Methodist Church in Belleville. He was a member of the Gothic Lodge No. 852 AF&AM, Scottish Rite Bodies where he received the MSA Service award in 1979. Dick received his 33 degree in 1997. He was also a member of the Ainad Shrine. Dick was a volunteer at the Cahokia Mounds Historic Site and RIS Radio Volunteer.
- Beloved husband for 50 years of the late Martha Mowe Townsend
- Loving uncle of
- Mitch, Martha, Mike and Marc Pincus
- John, Candy, Sarah and Ellie (Behrens) Scott
- Further survived by other loving nieces & nephews. Dear brother-in-law of Mason Holmes
- He was predeceased by his five siblings
Memorials: Memorials may be made to the Shriners Hospital for Children
Visitation: Friends may call from 10:00 am - 11:00 am Monday, March 12, 2012 at Kurrus Funeral Home in Belleville, Illinois.
Funeral: Masonic service will be held at 11:00 am Monday, March 12, 2012 at Kurrus Funeral Home Chapel, followed by a funeral service with Rev. Larry Patton officiating Interment will follow at Lake View Memorial Gardens, Fairview Heights, Illinois.
Condolences left for Richard C. Townsend:
Mr. Townsend was my mentor when I started teaching and his "words of advice" still influence life decisions for me even though I am now retired myself. He was truly a great and respected person.
barbara vinson o fallon Illinois 62269
I wish I had known how to get in touch with Mr. Townsend to thank him. He and his wife were my favorite teachers long ago. I also taught with him at Wirth Jr. High, but after being his student I could never bring myself to call him Dick. He was always Mr. Townsend. He started my interest in science which lead to a teaching degree with a biology certification. May you RIP, Mr. Townsend
Carrol Brennecke Wood Roanoke` VA 24015
I always envied those students who had Mr. Townsend in Science; he always gave studying science a life of it's own. He was a wonderful teacher who inspired so many students. His skills and love of teaching will always be remembered at Cahokia High School. RIP Mr. Townsend. You were loved, and you are remembered as a teacher who made a difference is so many lives! As I said, I did not have Mr. Townsend but I was inspired through my peers.
Linda Kohut Boerm Mathis TX 78368