Charles Townsend Jr. ’39

Charlie died of a heart attack June 27, 1995, while walking from the Princeton Club of N.Y.C. to Grand Central Station on his way home to Stamford, Conn. There he had lived and practiced law ever since receiving his L.L.B. from Virginia Law School in 1947. He was active in city politics with the Democratic party and clerk of the City Court of Stamford from 1959-1961. An active member of St. Andrews Episcopal Church for more than 50 years, he served variously as vestryman, clerk of the parish, and member of the church financial committee. Morris Teig, his law partner for 30 years, said, "He should have been a minister, not a lawyer. Lawyers develop an antagonistic side. Charlie never did." A tribute in the Stamford Advocate called Charlie an informed and charming conversationalist, a man who was exceptionally pleasant and gentle. And that's how we remember him. His close friend, Larry Ralston, writes, "We have lost a very loyal '39er. In all the years, never an Alumni Day or reunion missed except for the 55th when he was in hospital after being mugged on the street in Stamford. He faced this, as he did all the problems that came his way, with gallantry and grace." Honoring that spirit we bid our friend good-bye.

The Class of 1939