Robert Francis Townsend Jr.

Robert Francis Townsend, Jr. was born in Augusta, Georgia on September 21, 1956. While his family was from Westfield, New Jersey, he spent his childhood traveling the country and the world with his father, Robert Francis Townsend, Sr., Col. U.S. Army (retired), his beloved mother, Dorothy Eiffler Townsend, and his brother, J. Brian Townsend. He enjoyed spending the summers with is grandparents in Seaside, New Jersey.

Bob proudly served in the U.S. Navy from January 10, 1977 to January 9, 1981. After his honorable discharge from the service, he moved to Springfield, Virginia to attend computer school. It was during this time, he met future wife Kathleen O'Dea, at the local pizzeria where they were both employed.

Bob and Kathy were married on August 17, 1985 and remained in Springfield, Virginia. They were blessed with three children: Christina Michelle (26), Robert Francis III (24), and Michael Lawrence (21).

Bob was always a shade-tree mechanic and could fix any machine, including computers. After he graduated from school, he started his career at Electronic Data Systems (now party of the Hewlett Packard/HP company). He started fixing machines, kept learning, and moved up to computer system designs, project management, and systems engineering. He maintained a government clearance and was proud to serve our country and the intelligence community. His work gave him the opportunity to continue his passion of traveling the world and meeting new people.

Motorcycles were another passion for Bob. Through riding his motorcycles at every chance, Bob would discover new places, meet new people, and bring his passions together.

Bob suffered a sudden and catastrophic bout of cancer, that took his life. He was in the hospital for a short time, during which, many of his wonderful friends and family were by his side. His beloved wife, father, step-mother, were by his side when he passed away in his sleep on August 18, 2013.

Robert Francis Townsend is survived by his wife Kathleen "Kathy" (née O'Dea), their three children Christina, Robert, and Michael. He is survived by his father Robert Francis Townsend, mother Dorothy Eiffler Townsend, brother Brian Townsend, step-mother Linda Townsend, and his step-brother Scott Gates.

*A veteran- Whether active duty, retired, National Guard, or reserve. . . is someone who, at one point in his/her life, wrote a blank check payable to "The United States of America" for an amount of "up to and including my life." That is an honor, and there are way too many people in this country who no longer understand it. (Author Unknown)