Robert (Bob) Lawson Townsend passed away September 27, 2024,at his home in Tulsa, Oklahoma, with his wife (Gwen Townsend) of 65 years by his side. His adult children Richard Townsend and Susan Brown and Grandson David Brown were also present in those final hours. Bob is also survived by two other grandchildren Tiana Townsend and Jacob Brown as well as many nieces and nephews.

Bob had a long history of physical struggles. At an early age he had Perthes disease and spent a large portion of his childhood on crutches. In his early 50's he contracted Bronchiolitis Obliterans Organizing Pneumonia (BOOP) having to be on oxygen until his lungs healed. In his late 50's he experienced a decline in kidney function and was on dialysis. He fought and beat both those and was able to get off dialysis which was nothing short of a miracle. All those and other physical challenges took their toll on his body. About 6 years ago he was diagnosed with Idiopathic Pulmonary Fibrosis (IPF). IPF is a deadly degenerative lung disease with no cure. The only hope is to slow its progression with medication which he did for the last 6 years.

Bob was born on December 5th, 1937 to James and Edna Townsend in Boynton, Oklahoma. Bob followed his 3 brothers into military service, spending 8 years active and reserve in the Air Force as a crypto analyst. Bob and Gwen Townsend were married August 15, 1959 in Muskogee, Oklahoma. After military service Bob got a bachelor'sdegree in Business Administration from Northeastern. Bob was initiated into Alpha Chi, an honorary scholastic fraternity in April of 1962 at Northeastern. Bob joined Continental Oil in Ponca City, Oklahoma and spent 30 years in various Audit and Accounting roles retiring at 53 years of age. Bob spent his retirement traveling between Oklahoma and California until his Lung and Kidney troubles started. After that he stayed close to home but enjoyed family visits and a good football game, especially Oklahoma College ball.

Bob came to faith in Jesus as an 8 year old in church. Bob was private with his faith but it was no less real and he remained assured of his salvation to the end.

We selected a charity in lieu of flowers it is IPFfoundation.org/donate. You can make a donating in memory of Robert Townsend.