Necrology
Because Hamilton Remembers
Roger Gordon Townsend '55
Sep. 26, 1933-May. 10, 2019
Roger Gordon Townsend ’55, a sales businessman of Port Crane, N.Y., was born on Sept. 26, 1933, in Buffalo, N.Y., a son of the former Dorothy Corse, a librarian, and Samuel Townsend, a sales manager. He was a graduate of Skaneateles (N.Y.) High School.
At Hamilton, Townsend was a member of the football, baseball, and hockey teams, as well as the Block “H,” International Relations, Camera, and Sailing clubs. A psychology major, he was also a member of Delta Upsilon fraternity.
Townsend once wrote that the “Honor System and public speaking [were] the greatest preparation for the ‘cold, cruel world out there.’ My Hamilton education was the best possible preparation for dealing with whatever life threw my way.”
After graduation, Townsend worked for several years in sales and in 1968 established and became president of Fluid Power Sales, Inc., of Syracuse, N.Y. When not hard at work, he enjoyed sailing, golfing, and refurbishing antique wooden boats, according to a published obituary.
Active in his community, Townsend served on the board of directors of the Skaneateles Country Club and as president of the Finger Lakes chapter of the Antique and Classic Boat Society. He remained an avid fan of all sports, continuing the athletics interest nurtured during his College years. In his retirement, he sailed a 53’ Bluewater cruiser through the Great Lakes and down the East Coast into the southern Bahamas. Another trip found him touring in a motorhome to almost all of the national parks in the lower 48 states.
Townsend took great pride in his heritage as a direct descendant of the Townsend family of Rayman Hall, in Oyster Bay, N.Y., who were best known as the Culper Spy Ring that allowed George Washington to stop the British from taking West Point during the Revolutionary War. In addition, the Townsend Iron Works forged a great chain for the colonial militia to cross the Hudson, thereby preventing this great potential loss during the war, the obituary noted.
Townsend died on May 10, 2019, at the age of 85. He is survived by his second wife of 36 years, the former DeAnne Spears, a son, two daughters, three stepchildren, 16 grandchildren, and eight great-grandchildren. Other Hamilton connections include a brother, the late Samuel Townsend ’60, and a nephew, David Townsend ’97.
Note: Memorial biographies published prior to 2004 will not appear on this list.
Necrology Writer and Contact:
Christopher Wilkinson '68
Email: Chris.Wilkinson@mail.wvu.edu
The Joel Bristol Associates
Hamilton has a long-standing history of benefiting from estate and life payment gifts. Thoughtful alumni, parents, and friends who remember Hamilton in their estate plans, including retirement plan beneficiary designations, or complete planned gifts are recognized and honored as Joel Bristol Associates.
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Alumni & Parent Relations
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Jacke Jones
Director, Alumni & Parent Relations