Robert Glenn Dr. Townsend, Jr.

Dr. Robert Glenn Townsend Jr., 81, who practiced family medicine in Raeford for 33 years, died at 6:24 p.m. Tuesday, May 24, at Cape Fear Valley Medical Center, surrounded by his family. He was born a Aug 30, 1929, in Grayson , Ky., to Dr. R. Glenn and Lois Jackson Townsend. The Townsend family was from the Barker Ten-Mile community near Lumberton, and his parents returned from Kentucky to St. Pauls. He attended St. Pauls public schools and graduated from Oak Ridge Military Institute. He attended Wake Forest College for two years, interrupting his studies to enlist in the U.S. Air Force in 1951. Rising to the rank of first lieutenant, he served as a radio operator and completed his tour in Libya as an F-86 jet pilot in the 431st Fighter Interceptor Squadron in 1956. He returned to Wake Forest, graduating in 1957. After college graduation, he married Mina Jean Hensley, whom he always said was the love of his life. He then enrolled at the University of Louisville School of Medicine. After graduation from medical school, he took an internship at Indianapolis General Hospital. He then returned to Grayson, Ky, in 1962, in order to practice family medicine. In January 1964, he came back to North Carolina, settling in Raeford, where he established a family medical practice that lasted for 33 years, retiring in 1997. During his 35-year career, he achieved many professional honors. He was a charter member of the American Board of Family Physicians and was instrumental in founding the N.C. Academy of Family Practice, serving as its president in 1982-83. In 1988, he was named Family Practitioner of the Year by the NCAFP. He was presented a Lifetime Service Award by the NCAFP in 2003. In addition, he was a clinical assistant professor of family medicine at the East Carolina University School of Medicine. He also served his community as president of Raeford Chamber of Commerce, vice chair of the Southeaster Development Commission, as a board member of the N.C. Cancer Institute and as chairman of the Hoke County Board of Health. Survivors include Mina Townsend, his wife of 53 years; daughter Susan T. Barnes and her husband Glen and grandson Zack of Fayetteville; a son, Dr. Robert G. Townsend III and wife Chastity of Southern Pines, and grandchildren Jacob and Lauren; a brother William J. Townsend of Raeford; a special nephew and his wife, Dr. M.B. Pate III, wife Linda, and their children, Dr. Tess Pate Jordan of Raleigh and Air Force 1st Lt. Matthew Townsend Pate of Yakota AFB, Japan, and other cousins, nieces and nephews. He was predeceased by one son, Neil Hensley Townsend, in 1983. The family will receive family and friends at the Crumpler Funeral Home in Raeford from 7-9 p.m. Thursday. Funeral services will be observed at 11 a.m. Friday at the Raeford United Methodist Church, 308 North Main Street, Raeford, with Reverend Michael Elliot officiating. Burial will be in the Raeford Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, the family request that donations be made to the Raeford United Methodist, 308 North Main Street, Raeford, NC 28376, or the Dr. Bob Townsend Scholarship Endowment, North Carolina Community Foundation, 4601 Six Forks Road, Suite 524, Raleigh, N.C. 27609. Donations may also be made online at www.nccommunityfoundation.org. ;