Robert Ernest Townsend

Robert Ernest “Bob” Townsend, 90, of Hickory, went to meet his Lord on Thursday, February 23, 2017. Born January 6, 1927 in Catawba County, he was the son of the late John Ernest Townsend and Mamie Lee Little Townsend. Bob was a lifelong member of Mt. Olive Lutheran Church in Hickory. He was among the first group of men that started the long standing “Tuesday Morning Bible Study” which he attended faithfully until his declining health. He also served numerous terms on church committees and the church council.

Bob retired after 35 years of service with what started out as Hickory Telephone Co. He also served proudly in the Navy during WWll aboard the ship USS Hemminger DE 746.

In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his wife of 67 years, Patsy “Pat” Ford Townsend; brother, John J. Townsend; sister, Helen Townsend and brother-in-law, Royall Yount, Sr.

Bob is survived by his son, Kelly L. Townsend and girlfriend Tiny Riddle; sisters, Nancy T. Arndt and husband Glenn of Hickory, and Martha T. Yount of Hickory; niece, Adeliah Arndt of Hickory, nephews, Michael Arndt and wife Alix of Palm Harbor, FL, Royall Yount, Jr. and wife Joyce of Raleigh, NC, Tim Yount and wife Kale of Charlotte, NC, and Jim Townsend and wife Sandy of Hickory, NC; 10 great nieces and 7 great nephews.

Bob was also an honorary grandfather to Nakisha Maines and husband Chris of Morganton, NC and Eric Riddle of Morganton, NC and an honorary great-grandfather to Kayden, Alex and Hadley Maines, all of Morganton.

The family will hold a private burial service at Mt. Olive Lutheran Church cemetery.

A Memorial Service, celebrating Bob’s life, will be held at 2:00 p.m. on Saturday, March 4, 2017 at Mt. Olive Lutheran Church in Hickory with Rev. John W. Duncan, Jr officiating. The family will receive friends following the service.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be given to Mt. Olive Lutheran Church, Cemetery Fund, 2780 N Center Street, Hickory, NC 28601