85S11135 KSM-D
By: Leach H.R. No. 298
R E S O L U T I O N
WHEREAS, Residents of Richardson were deeply saddened by the
death of former mayor Bobby Lee Townsend on June 2, 2017, at the age
of 84; and
WHEREAS, The son of Vernon and Lillian Townsend, Bob Townsend
was born in Durant, Oklahoma, on January 6, 1933; he studied at the
University of Oklahoma and Southeastern Oklahoma State University
before going on to complete his master's degree at Southern
Methodist University; on July 27, 1952, he married the former
Madeline "Lynn" Stevens, and they became the parents of four
children, Kurt, Valerie, Kret, and Kevin; he eventually knew the
joy of welcoming into his family seven grandchildren, Michael,
David, Barrett, Jackson, Kyle, Adrian, and Julie, and six
great-grandchildren, Parker, Maddie, Lewis, Melanie, Caroline, and
Kennedy; and
WHEREAS, Mr. Townsend began his career as an accountant and
data processing developer for Swift and Company in Memphis,
Tennessee, and Chicago, Illinois; eager to return to the Southwest,
he joined Texas Instruments in 1958, and his responsibilities in
the Information Systems and Services Division included management
of the company's internal communications system; following his
retirement in 1996, he dedicated himself to his beloved community;
he was president of the Southwest Richardson Homeowners Association
and the Richland Meadows Neighborhood Association, and he served on
a number of city boards and commissions; in 2001, he was elected to
the city council, and during a tenure that spanned 16 years, he was
mayor from 2011 to 2013 and served three terms as mayor pro tem; and
WHEREAS, A tireless public servant, Mr. Townsend furthered
economic development, launching the Mayor's Office of
International Business and building fruitful relationships with
business representatives from abroad; he played a key role in a host
of projects, among them the Eisemann Center, five DART rail
stations, three fire stations, a fire training center, and multiple
recreation and sports facilities; moreover, he promoted greater
unity and understanding among citizens through his involvement in
the reactivation of the Richardson Interfaith Alliance and the
adoption of its Charter for Compassion; his profound commitment to
the city led him to continue his work until the end of his term on
the council despite his battle with lung cancer; named Citizen of
the Year for 2016 by the Richardson Chamber of Commerce, he received
the city's Distinguished Service Award on the occasion of his
retirement in May 2017; and
WHEREAS, Bob Townsend made a lasting, positive difference in
Richardson, and although he is deeply missed, his devotion to his
family and his community will remain a source of inspiration to all
who had the good fortune to know him; now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives of the 85th Texas
Legislature, 1st Called Session, hereby pay tribute to the life of
Bobby Lee Townsend and extend sincere condolences to his loved
ones; and, be it further
RESOLVED, That an official copy of this resolution be
prepared for his family and that when the Texas House of
Representatives adjourns this day, it do so in memory of Bob
Townsend.