John Townsend
John Herman Townsend died peacefully at home of non-Hodgkins Lymphoma on May 4, 2017, a few months short of his 80th birthday. He was born August 5, 1937 to Marjorie (Butler) and Maurice Lee Townsend, of Highgate and Plainfield, Vermont, respectively. John was born in Berlin, New Hampshire. His father, who’d graduated from the University of Vermont in 1926 with a B.Sc. in Engineering Science, was a research chemist for the Brown Paper Co. there. John graduated from UNH in 1959 with a B.A. in Chemistry. He served the State of Vermont from 1962 to 1996, working first with the Materials Division of the Highway Department and later with the Water Quality Division of the Department of Environmental Conservation. As a young man, John witnessed the negative impact of human activity on New Hampshire’s Androscoggin River. In response, he dedicated himself to the health and restoration of water resources. While working for the Vermont Department of Environmental Conservation in the mid-1970s, he testified in federal court as an expert witness regarding Lake Champlain water quality. Also, in the mid-1980s he developed effective, automated methods for phosphorus analysis. His work on water quality was foundational to the current scientific understanding of the problems in Vermont's lakes, including Lake Champlain. John's work and that of chemists whom he trained still drives major policies and programs of the Environmental Protection Agency in the State of Vermont. In addition to his work with the state, John and a friend, Bill Lane, ran the Civil Construction Corporation (1969-1976) in Middlesex, Vermont. Also, from 1971 through the mid 1980s, he operated a rooming house as well as the Terrace Motel at 57 River Street in Montpelier. A mentor to many, John was highly respected by his colleagues, family, and community. He did his work quietly and with great competence. A gifted human being, he gently encouraged others to achieve their best potential. New chemists became better chemists when he spent time with them; likewise, colleagues, friends and family learned self-reliance from his serenity and reliability. In 1997 he married Darlene L. Witte. She was a faculty member at Johnson State College from 1993 to 2014. They lived in Wolcott, Vermont until 2008 and then moved to Fairfax, Vermont to be near family members. A supporter of live theatre, John attended the Shaw Festival in Canada many times. He enjoyed Broadway productions, gardening, classical music, good food, crossword puzzles and the Tuesday edition of the New York Times. He liked traveling, and he and Darlene visited many parts of the U.S. and Canada as well as England, Scotland, Ireland, and the Baltic region of Europe. To the people of Vermont, John left a legacy of integrity, good science, and meticulous work in environmental conservation. With Darlene, he shared abundant laughter, love, and warmth. His steadfast kindness and natural grace flowed continuously to Robin, his stepdaughter, to Amelia, her child, and to colleagues, cousins, nephews, great-nephews and nieces, friends and family, all of whom respected him and appreciated his presence. His name is written deep in the waters of Vermont as well as in our hearts: John H. Townsend will not soon be forgotten. Donations in John's memory can be made to any public or school library. John's wife, family and friends are grateful for the care received through the Champlain Valley Hematology Oncology Clinic and the Northwestern Medical Center (Georgia, VT) and are especially thankful to the Franklin County Home Health staff, whose support allowed him to remain at home during his final weeks of life. A farewell gathering was held May 13th in his home. The family invites you to share your memories and condolences by visiting www.awrfh.com.Obituary
John Herman Townsend died peacefully at home of non-Hodgkins Lymphoma on May 4, 2017, a few months short of his 80th birthday. He was born August 5, 1937 to Marjorie (Butler) and Maurice Lee Townsend, of Highgate and Plainfield, Vermont, respectively. John was born in Berlin, New Hampshire. His father, who’d graduated from the University of Vermont in 1926 with a B.Sc. in Engineering Science, was a research chemist for the Brown Paper Co. there. John graduated from UNH in 1959 with a B.A. in Chemistry. He served the State of Vermont from 1962 to 1996, working first with the Materials Division of the Highway Department and later with the Water Quality Division of the Department of Environmental Conservation. As a young man, John witnessed the negative impact of human activity on New Hampshire’s Androscoggin River. In response, he dedicated himself to the health and restoration of water resources. While working for the Vermont Department of Environmental Conservation in the mid-1970s, he testified in federal court as an expert witness regarding Lake Champlain water quality. Also, in the mid-1980s he developed effective, automated methods for phosphorus analysis. His work on water quality was foundational to the current scientific understanding of the problems in Vermont's lakes, including Lake Champlain. John's work and that of chemists whom he trained still drives major policies and programs of the Environmental Protection Agency in the State of Vermont. In addition to his work with the state, John and a friend, Bill Lane, ran the Civil Construction Corporation (1969-1976) in Middlesex, Vermont. Also, from 1971 through the mid 1980s, he operated a rooming house as well as the Terrace Motel at 57 River Street in Montpelier. A mentor to many, John was highly respected by his colleagues, family, and community. He did his work quietly and with great competence. A gifted human being, he gently encouraged others to achieve their best potential. New chemists became better chemists when he spent time with them; likewise, colleagues, friends and family learned self-reliance from his serenity and reliability. In 1997 he married Darlene L. Witte. She was a faculty member at Johnson State College from 1993 to 2014. They lived in Wolcott, Vermont until 2008 and then moved to Fairfax, Vermont to be near family members. A supporter of live theatre, John attended the Shaw Festival in Canada many times. He enjoyed Broadway productions, gardening, classical music, good food, crossword puzzles and the Tuesday edition of the New York Times. He liked traveling, and he and Darlene visited many parts of the U.S. and Canada as well as England, Scotland, Ireland, and the Baltic region of Europe. To the people of Vermont, John left a legacy of integrity, good science, and meticulous work in environmental conservation. With Darlene, he shared abundant laughter, love, and warmth. His steadfast kindness and natural grace flowed continuously to Robin, his stepdaughter, to Amelia, her child, and to colleagues, cousins, nephews, great-nephews and nieces, friends and family, all of whom respected him and appreciated his presence. His name is written deep in the waters of Vermont as well as in our hearts: John H. Townsend will not soon be forgotten. Donations in John's memory can be made to any public or school library. John's wife, family and friends are grateful for the care received through the Champlain Valley Hematology Oncology Clinic and the Northwestern Medical Center (Georgia, VT) and are especially thankful to the Franklin County Home Health staff, whose support allowed him to remain at home during his final weeks of life. A farewell gathering was held May 13th in his home. The family invites you to share your memories and condolences by visiting www.awrfh.com.