Charles Lee Townsend (1930-2017)

TOWNSEND, STEEDS, FRYE, WILLIAMS, KORB, STEVENSON, GRAFF

Posted By: Mark Christian
Date: 2/5/2017 at 08:43:26

Obituary from Des Moines Register, January 11, 2017, Des Moines, Polk County, Iowa.

Charles Lee Townsend passed away on January 5, 2017. A memorial service will be held at 11AM on Friday, January 13, 2017 at Cornerstone Church in Ames. A visitation will take place from 9-10:30AM, also at the church.

Charles was born on Nov. 21, 1930, in Oklahoma City, OK, to Floyd R. and Nellie V. (Steeds) Townsend. Charles attended schools in Oklahoma City, OK, and graduated from Oklahoma City Central high school. He worked his way through the University of Oklahoma at Norman graduating in 1953 with a degree in electrical engineering.

He joined the Marine Corps and participated in a special basic program. He became a lieutenant in artillery and served in Japan and Korea.

He married Verna Lou Frye on August 10, 1955, and they were married for 25 years. To them, 3 daughters were born.

Charles did graduate work at Iowa State University, in Ames, IA, obtaining a master's and PhD degree in electrical engineering. He was on the faculty at ISU for 37 years, and retired as an emeritus professor in 1992. His university activities included considerable committee work at the department, college and university level. He received the Award for Creativity, National University Extension Association, 1969. Charles was recognized as an Outstanding Professor in Electrical Engineering, College of Engineering, 1986.

Charlie married Mary K. Williams on May 6, 1983 in Zearing, Iowa. They are members of Cornerstone Church in Ames.

Charlie always had a strong interest in politics. He was active in the Republican party, serving first as a precinct committee man and then for 6 years as the Story County Republican chairman. He enjoyed sports throughout his life. He played baseball and basketball as a youth, and later, took up golf. He achieved 'life master' in duplicate bridge.

He leaves behind his wife, Mary; 3 daughters: Jennifer (Jeffrey) Korb of Fishers, IN, Sarah (Gregory) Stevenson of Ames, and Margaret (William) Graff of Barrington, IL. In addition, he leaves 6 grandchildren and 9 great-grandchildren.

In lieu of flowers, memorials can be directed to the Cornerstone Church in Ames.