Robert Townsend Obituary

Robert Francis Townsend, Colonel (Retired) US Army MT. PLEASANT - Robert Francis Townsend, Colonel (Retired) US Army, age 92, passed away on Sunday, October 26, 2025. He was survived by his wife, Linda Diane; son, James Brian, Plainfield, NJ; stepson, Scott Gates, Wytheville, VA; daughter-in-law, Kathleen Townsend, Springfield, VA; granddaughter, Christina Michelle and her husband, Michael Treyson Williams, James Island, SC; grandsons, Robert Francis Townsend III and Michael Lawrence Townsend, Springfield, VA; and great-granddaughters, Olivia Lane Williams and Levi Rose Williams of James Island, SC. Bob was predeceased by his son, Robert Francis Townsend, Jr.; step-daughter, Stacey Renee Gates; and his father, Henry Panza, and mother, Anna Callahan Townsend of Westfield, NJ, and ten his other brothers and sisters. Graduated from Holy Trinity High School of Westfield, NJ, in 1951, he received his under graduate degree from Seton Hall University in West Orange, NJ, in 1956. Later he earned his MBA from Seton Hall where he also was a Professor of Military Science. Bob served twenty-five years in the US Army Military Police in various positions around the world. As a Japanese linguist, he was a political analyst for the US Civil Administration of Okinawa; commanded the 95th Military Police Battalion of the Republic of Vietnam; Provost Marshal of the 7th Corps, US Army, Germany and Provost Marshal of Fort Meade, MD. Also he completed the Army War College in Carlisle, PA, and the National War College in Washington, DC. After retiring from the military service, he immediately joined the World Bank in Washington, DC, where he developed and managed their national and international Security Division. He belonged to the professional associations American Society for Industrial Security and the International Security Management Association. In 1995, he retired from the bank and moved in 2001 to the Mount Pleasant, SC, community where he and Linda attended the St. Andrew's Anglican Church. Bob enjoyed playing golf with the Tuesday/Friday Group at Snee Farm, being a part of several social groups, traveling, and attending the annual Retired Military Police Officer's Association reunions. Bob will be buried at Arlington Cemetery after the standard two year wait. However, the family will have a drop-in Celebration of Life gathering at 1187 Waterfront Drive (Hidden Lakes) on Thursday, November 13, from 3:00 to 5:30. Please dress casually, bring spouse or significant others, and have stories to share. Refreshments will be served. A special thank you to the Family Hospice here in Charleston for providing wonderful care for Bob. They made at home hospice care where Bob could say goodbye with each family member a possibility. Our family will sorely miss him.