Ellison Arnold (Al) Towle, beloved husband, father, grandfather, brother, uncle and friend, passed away after a lingering illness in his home in Mill Creek, Washington, on January 26, with his loving wife, Ronni and family nearby.
Al was born in Fitchburg, Massachusetts, the eldest of brothers, Brad and Lance, of parents, Commander Arnold and Rena Towle. A wonderful childhood of sports, ice skating, playing in the Westminster band, and learning to rebuild cars.
The family moved to Southern California, where Al graduated Santa Maria High School. He attended UCLA, where he was a member of the golf team, a competitive rifle sharpshooter, earned master points in Bridge, spending many hours on his motorcycle, and helping his friends by working on their cars. He transferred to University of Washington in the ROTC program and graduated with a BA in Business. He entered Officer Candidate School in Rhode Island and was commissioned Ensign as a Surface Warfare Officer. Promoting to Lieutenant he specialized in Cryptographic Systems, honorably serving his country three tours of Vietnam on the Destroyer U.S.S. De HAVEN (DD-727).
He married Anita Moran and had three children Wendy, Jeffrey and Tracy. Al began a career with Allstate Insurance Underwriting Management in California. Following their divorce, he moved to Seattle, then Bothell, where he transferred to Sales Management and completed and earned the status of Certified Insurance Counselor.
He met Ronni, whom he often said fell instantly in love with, and married her with her three daughters, Julie, Karin and Erika in 1978. During their 45 wonderful years together, raising a blended family with a busy life of school, colleges, sports, travel which included 40 years of boating vacations in the islands, as well as family get togethers at the Anderson Island Lake house. They designed and built their "dream home" on seven acres on the Tulare Beach Bluff before moving to Mill Creek.
In retirement, they continued their travels across many parts of the world and spent 15 winters in their Saddlebrooke, Arizona home. Al had many skills, a strong work ethic, and loves; he remodeled and built homes, rebuilt and collected vintage cars (his favorite was the TR3). He loved boating, fishing, music, baseball, and other than his family, faith and friends, he had a passion for golf. While members of the Mill Creek and Saddlebrooke Arizona Country Clubs, Al played every tournament and treasured his memories of the 19th hole with his golf buddies. He shot four hole-in-ones throughout his golfing years.
Al is survived by his wife, Ronni and children; Wendy Towle, Captain USN Retired (Rear Admiral Kristin Acquavella), Jeffrey, Tracy, and stepchildren, Julie Dow-Udy (Steve Udy), Karin Martinez (Raul Martinez), Erika Dow (Troy Coulombe), grandchildren Will and Morgan Udy, Lucia and Sofia Martinez, and Anita and Zoe Towle, brothers Brad (Shannon) and Lance, and nephews Craig, Justin (Crystal) and their children Braden and Laken. He was predeceased by his parents.
Al is loved by many and will be greatly missed. The Memorial and Celebration of Life will be March 9, 1 pm at the Mill Creek Country Club.
In lieu of flowers, remembrances may be made to Seattle Children's Hospital, or Continuum Hospice Foundation.
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