Daniel Earle Townsend, Jr.

(December 22, 1927 – July 14, 2017)

GREENVILLE, SC – Daniel Earle Townsend, Jr. (89) died unexpectedly on July 14, 2017. Born in Florence, South Carolina, to Daniel Earle Townsend, Sr., and Henrietta Aycock Covington Townsend on December 22, 1927, he was raised in Durham, North Carolina.

He received a degree in electrical engineering at NC State in Raleigh, North Carolina, and a master’s degree in physics from Drexel University in Philadelphia. He worked for RCA in Camden, New Jersey, for 39 years on the design of defense and NASA projects using television and radio in space.

Earle was married to Hazel Irene Timblin Townsend for nearly 59 years, and together they raised three children in Medford, New Jersey, who survive him: Walter Rankin Townsend (Barbara), Susan Leonora Townsend, and Sara Elizabeth Luchuk (Alan). He is preceded in death by his parents, brother Frank Covington Townsend, and brother-in-law Frank Collins. He is survived by his wife Hazel, sister Leonora Townsend Collins, sister-in-law Cate Morgan Townsend, nephew Jonathan Hadley, niece Amy Hadley Link, and grandsons Benjamin Walter Townsend, Matthew Lefferts Townsend, Andrew Christopher Luchuk, Patrick James Luchuk, and Nicholas Peter Luchuk.

Earle was a devoted husband, faithfully serving family, neighbors, and church with his technical and financial expertise, passion for history and travel, and ready sense of humor. While at Faith Presbyterian Church in Medford, NJ, he served as treasurer for over ten years. He loved to read, bowl, and play both chess and bridge. In earlier years, Earle had a private pilot’s license and, while living in New Jersey, enjoyed flying with friends. With his family and children he participated in tennis, track, camping, and a variety of hobbies. His pursuit of genealogy fostered many family publications, including The Asbury Memorials (recording Townsend family history), as well as sparking his wife’s genealogical passion and many opportunities to visit family. They enjoyed working together on family research in archives, libraries, and cemeteries throughout the U.S. and Ireland. After moving to Greenville, South Carolina, he and Hazel also shared an enjoyment of birdwatching and participating in their community. Earle served on their HOA board for twelve years, and both were active in neighborhood circles, groups, and church classes.

A memorial service of witness to the resurrection, officiated by the Rev. H. Stan Johnson and Rev. Claire Ripley of First Presbyterian Church of Greenville, will be held on Saturday, July 22, 2017, at 3:30 p.m., at Rolling Green Village Center (1 Hoke Smith Blvd.), followed by visitation and a reception.

Interment will be at the Asbury Memorial Cemetery in Raynham, North Carolina, at a later date.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the mission programs of First Presbyterian Church of Greenville (www.FirstPresGreenville.org).

Condolences can be shared at www.mackeymortuary.com.