Richard Townsend

Richard Alan Townsend completed his journey Home on July 2, 2020, beginning his adventure rejoicing in the presence of our loving Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ.  Rich was 63 and passed from this world on his 43rd wedding anniversary surrounded in love and support by Nancy, his wife; his children, Alicia and Jared, and Sheila, his sister.  His last few days were spent at the Schneidmiller Hospice House in Coeur d’Alene, Idaho where he and his family received the most loving care from the entire staff.  His family was given the gift of a few more days of laughter and love, seeing him enjoy his precious grandchildren, and making memories that will be cherished forever.

Rich was born and raised in Spokane, Washington to Vern and Margaret Townsend, and is the youngest of 4, with the eldest being his half-sister Jackie, brother Michael “Butch” and sister Sheila.  He met his future bride in Spokane where they began their life together.  He and Nancy moved to Moscow, Idaho shortly after being married and later bought a house in Troy, Idaho.  From there, they moved to Priest River, Idaho and eventually settled in Post Falls, Idaho.  They began their family with Yorkies Velvet and her pups, Jasper and Jewell, before kiddos Sharilee, Alicia and Jared.  On a Father’s Day some time after the Yorkies passed, Lady the Min Pin was added to the family (she was totally Rich’s dog) until her passing several years later.

Rich worked his entire adult life in the grocery business, starting out as a box boy, moving to the produce department as a Produce Clerk and later Produce Manager, and then switching it up to become a Journeyman Meatcutter and Meat Manager.  He took pride in his work and made it fun (or annoying) for those around him by cracking crazy jokes, singing silly songs, and making noises only “Richie” would think to make (eye-roll, please)!  He did those things with friends and family as well, who will remember him saying, “Godfrey Davis” and “Jeepers Crap” on a regular basis!

Richard’s love for the outdoors was never-ending and he always packed more into a day than was ever possible.  He loved gardening and lawn work, fly fishing in Montana, hunting in North Idaho, picking huckleberries in his secret spots, garnet digging in St. Maries, Idaho and collecting all kinds of things including fossils, rocks, antlers, and Bugle and Outdoor Life magazines.  He had a tremendous amount of knowledge about all of those things, and loved to teach others and share these activities, especially with his kids, kids-in-law and grandkids.  His love for his family, children and grandchildren was priceless.  Rich was a loving son, brother, uncle, husband, father and grandfather and a caring friend and neighbor.  He was able to keep life-long friends and connect with new neighbors who were invaluable to him through his joys and struggles, especially during the last few months of this life.

Rich suffered loss and pain throughout his life such as losing his father as a teenager; caring for his mother through dementia and ultimately losing her; having open-heart surgery at 28 while expecting his and Nancy’s first child, Sharilee Rae only to have her pass away 3 years later; worried about his sister Sheila and niece Karen with their cancer journeys; and losing his half-sister, Jackie to the same cancer he was mightily fighting.

He also had many, many blessings and great times with family, friends, co-workers, and church family.  He had great memories of family trips and outings growing up, like going to the Bowl and Pitcher in Riverside State Park in Spokane; train trips from Spokane to Minnesota; learning to tie flies and making a fly rod for fishing; and caring for many animals including birds and chipmunks.  It was a toss-up as to who cried more at their wedding, Rich or Nancy.  Rich was present and awestruck during the births of all of his children and proudly watched them grow; he beamed with love as he walked Alicia down the aisle on a windy day atop Schweitzer Mountain to give her away to Casey, his beloved son-in-law; he watched with love and pride as Jared married his Canadian sweetheart Lyndea who became a member of the family before officially wed; and he was over-the-moon crazy about his grandchildren Addilee Maye and Cooper Keith and his grand pups Avery and Scout.

Rich’s faith began at an early age as a member of Shadle Park Presbyterian Church in Spokane.  While there were times in his life where his faith was less strong and not practiced as much as he would have liked, the last several years his reliance upon God and the church family at Post Falls Community Presbyterian Church became increasingly important, and sustained him greatly through his last months.  It’s always hard to understand why hard times, loss and pain come to people with so much life yet to give.  While Rich left us too soon, we take comfort that his faith has inspired others and has gained him a place in Heaven, through the Grace of Jesus Christ, and that he is with all those loved ones gone before him.

Rich is survived by his wife Nancy; children Alicia (Casey) and Jared (Lyndea); grandchildren Addilee and Cooper; grand pups Avery and Scout; sister Sheila (Mike), nieces and nephews Karen (Major), Dan, Beth, Paul and Jennifer; and several grand nieces and nephews.

Visitation will be available at English Funeral Chapel in Post Falls, Idaho from 2:00 – 5:00 pm on Thursday, July 9th.  Graveside Service will be held at Spokane Memorial Gardens on the Cheney Spokane Road in Spokane, Washington at 11:00 am on Friday July 10th.  A celebration of life memorial service will be held at the Post Falls Community Presbyterian Church, 417 N. William Street Post Falls Idaho at 4:00 on Friday, July 10th.  COVID restrictions, subject to change per jurisdiction, for graveside and memorial services limit gathering to 100 people, mandatory masks, and social distancing.

In lieu of flowers, family requests charitable donations to either:

Hospice House of North Idaho

9493 N Government Way

Hayden, ID  83835

or

Post Falls Community Presbyterian Church

417 N William St

Post Falls, ID  83854