Alan H. Townshend

Alan H. Townshend, age 84, of Petersburg, WV passed away Thursday, September 18, 2014 at the Grant County Nursing Home in Petersburg.
Born February 18, 1930 to the late Captain Charles S. Townshend and Margaret (Renison) Townshend, at the Samaritan (American) Hospital located in Colon, Republic of Panama. He was preceded in death by his wife, Patricia J. (Secrist) Townshend and two older brothers, Don and Stuart Townshend.
Alan is survived by his only son, Scott E. Townshend of Ridgeley, WV and two grandchildren, Lilly Elizabeth and Brennen Maxwell Townshend. He is also survived by two brothers, Bill Townshend of Stone Mountain, GA and John Townshend of Houston, Texas.
Alan was a graduate of Cristobal High School, Canal Zone, class of 1948. He attended Canal Zone Junior College class of 1950. In November 1951 he entered the United States Air Force which he served in the U. S. Intelligence Department during the Korean War until August 1955 when he was honorably discharged at Mobile, Alabama. He then attended George Washington University in Washington, D.C. on the G.I. bill. He met Patricia Jean Secrist and was married at St. Thomas Episcopal Church on June 29, 1957 in Washington, D.C. He received his B.A. in Foreign Affairs in 1957 and later received his Master's Degree in Secondary Education in 1961. He did his student teaching at Jeb Stuart High School in 1961, then taught at Flint Hill Private in Oakton, VA until 1962. He then taught in Fauguier County, VA for 4 more years, then Sherwood High School in Montgomery County, MD.
These teaching experiences and life events then led Alan to teach at Franklin High School in Franklin, WV for a year; but upon gaining his special education Certification, he obtained the position as special education teacher in Grant County, West Virginia where he taught for 25 years and retired in June 1994.
Alan was a member of numerous organizations including 50 year (+) member of the Petersburg Masonic Lodge No. 145 A.F. & A.M. and Scottish Rites 32nd degree Wheeling, WV, Petersburg Lions Club, Petersburg American Legion Post 78 and most proudly, he was an elder of the Petersburg Presbyterian Church. He also was an active member of the Grant County Association of Retired School Employees and was currently vice-president.
A memorial service will be held on Sunday, September 28, 2014 at 11 a.m. at the Petersburg Presbyterian Church.
Alan donated his body to the West Virginia University Human Gift Registry at Morgantown, WV. This great man and devoted father and husband will be truly missed on earth and rewarded in heaven.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to Charity of the Donor's Choice.