Roger Lee Townsend

Roger Lee Townsend left this earth February 24, 2022. He was hospitalized with COVID-19 and pneumonia in December of last year, followed by several weeks in rehab. He returned to his home in Glendale, Arizona, on February 1st, and several weeks later he collapsed and passed away suddenly.

He was born to William Townsend and Marjorie Ritchie-Townsend on September 24, 1938 in the family home in Bozeman, MT, the oldest of three children.

Roger met Delores Anderson in Montana and were later married on June 26, 1957 in Buhl, Twin Falls, Idaho. Brother Bill was best man and sister Karen was maid of honor.

A much loved father, grandfather and great-grandfather, he attended many family birthday and holiday events. If there was an opportunity to take a photo he was ready with his camera near-by. He loved to watch old Westerns—he said they reminded him of the old days. A life long gadget enthusiast, he built his first computer from a kit he got at Radio Shack in the late 70s.

He was a very intelligent man. He joined the U.S. Air Force in 1957 and while enlisted he worked on airplane engines and jet engines. After a medical discharge in Jun 1965, he settled the family in Arizona where he worked for Del Webb as a Journeyman Carpenter and attended night school to earn a bachelor’s degree. He got a job at Karsten’s, the maker of Ping golf clubs, as a metal fabricator, where he worked until his retirement in 2003.

Roger and Delores spent several weeks each year going "home" to either Hawley, MN or Bozeman, MT to reunite with family and friends.

His passing has left a hole in the lives of the people that loved him. He is preceded in death by his parents William and Marjorie, wife Delores, daughters Sharon and Lori Townsend.

He will be missed by brother Stuart William (Bev) Townsend and sister Karen (Jack) Rogers; son Kerry (Fran) Townsend, daughter Diane (Frank) Davis; two grandsons Frank "Billy" Davis and Kevin Townsend, three granddaughters Amanda, Jessica, and Linda; one great-grandson Jordan and three great-granddaughters Lullaby, Serenade and Isabella.

Interment with Military Honor Guard is planned for 12:30pm March 26, 2022 at Resthaven Cemetery. A memorial service is planned for 2pm that same day at St. Paul Lutheran Church, 6301 W. Indian School Road, Phoenix.