Richard D Townsend

Richard Dan Townsend was born in Mesa, Arizona on March 1, 1933. One of Virgil and Audrey Townsend's twelve children, he was raised on a farm where he enjoyed working alongside his father. His early years instilled the three traits that would define his life: a love of his family, an aptitude for agriculture, and a passion for the gospel.

He met Margaret Elizabeth Hankin at Tripp’s drive-in on a spring evening in 1952, and they were married later that summer. Their marriage was sealed in the Mesa, Arizona Temple on September 11, 1959. As they began to raise a family, Rick established a successful career in agriculture. For a time, he worked in Saudi Arabia as an agricultural consultant. He attended Utah State University, College of Agriculture. He also worked in Missoula, Montana and Logan, Utah, where he owned and operated a landscaping company, where he and Marge settled after retirement.

His greatest satisfactions came from spending time with his family, watching baseball, and gardening with his wife. He earned a reputation as an honest, hard-working man whose devotion to his family and love for the Savior became an example for all who knew him.

Throughout his life he served tirelessly in the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints as a stake missionary, gospel doctrine teacher and high priest group leader. He continually increased his knowledge of the gospel, reading and studying the scriptures and words of the prophets throughout his life. His thoughtful opinions on gospel subjects became a valuable resource for his family and friends. He was particularly fond of temple work, and he served there often until his battle with diabetes prevented further temple attendance.

Rick returned to his Heavenly Father on the morning of September 20, 2012. He will be remembered as a devoted husband, a compassionate father, and a dedicated patriot. He possessed an eternal perspective that will be missed but always remembered.

He is survived by his beloved wife of 60 years, Margaret Townsend of Providence, Utah; three sons, Daniel Townsend of Gilbert, Arizona, Richard Allen Townsend of Pleasanton, California, and Jared Townsend, of Providence, Utah; and four daughters, Tana Visser of Preston, Idaho, Heidi Townsend of Salt Lake City, Utah, Catherine Greene of Providence, Utah, Sharla Hoyt of O’Fallon, Missouri. He is also mourned by his 22 grandchildren and 10 great grandchildren. He is also survived by his sisters, Christine Dees of Pleasant Grove, Utah, and Francis Sprouse of Mesa, Arizona; his brothers, Ronald Townsend of Gilbert, Arizona, Donald Townsend of Chandler, Arizona, Dwayne Townsend of Gilbert, Arizona, Gene Townsend of Mesa, Arizona, and Steve Townsend of Arizona city, Arizona. He is preceded in death by his parents, Virgil and Audrey Townsend, his sisters, Charlene Nielsen, Doris Eldridge, Sharon Keeling, and his daughter Rickilyn Townsend and son Wesley Dwight Townsend.

Funeral services will be held at 12:00 PM on Monday, September 24, 2012 at the Providence 4th Ward at 150 N 100 E, Providence Utah. A viewing will be held on Sunday, September 23, 2012 from 6-8pm at the Allen-Hall Mortuary, 34 E Center St, Logan, Utah, and prior to the services on Monday at the church from 10:30 to 11:30 AM. Interment will be in the Providence City Cemetery. Condolences may be sent to the family at www.allenmortuaries.net
We would like to extend our heartfelt thanks to all those who have helped throughout his illness; special thanks to his doctors, Dr. Jeffrey M. Huffman, Dr. Curtis Pedersen, and staff of the wound care clinic. and Dr. Steven Merrill. Also a special thank you to the staff at IMC Hospital in Murray, Utah and the Providence 4th Ward and Bishop Dave Israelsen for all of his support and concern.