It is with deep sorrow that the family of Walter Alexander Townsend announced his passing on the evening December 25, 2022 at the age of 77 years.

Walter was born in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania on June 28, 1945. He was the son of Walter S. and Florence Townsend.

He will be lovingly remembered by his wife of 52 years, Carol Sims Townsend; his son, Brian; daughter-in-law, Melvin; and his grandchildren, Brenden and Chloe that he adored. His siblings, Richard Townsend, John Townsend, Paul Townsend and Nancy McCaffrey share in our grief. Walter was preceded in death by a son, Christopher William Townsend; and by his parents, Mr. and Mrs. Walter S. Townsend.  Walter will also be dearly missed as well by his numerous relatives and friends.

After high school, Walt attended the University of Florida and remained a lifelong Gator fan. He received his BA and MBA from the University of West Florida and his Masters of Hospital Administration from the University of Alabama in Birmingham.  Walt received his PhD in Public Health in 2002 from the University of South Florida. His dissertation was, the impact of Implementing Telemedicine Technology in a Spinal Cord Injury Home Environment. Walter was at the forefront of bringing telemedicine to the future.

For many years, Walter was involved in coaching Little League baseball. Unknown to others, he often bought cleats and baseball gloves for boys that needed them. Later he would have huge barbecue parties for the athletes at Tampa Bay Tech where his son Brian attended high school.  He was lovingly named "Mr. Donation" for how generously he donated to those sport programs. Walter also coached the church league softball team at the First United Methodist Church in Brandon, Florida where we were members until we moved to Texas.

Walter loved travel and adventure. Our son Chris and he were certified PADI scuba divers. They spent countless hours scuba diving Florida springs, deep ocean and wreck dives in Key West, Florida. Walt had many escapades cruising and visiting other countries with family and friends.

Studying history was a passion of his. Walt had an encyclopedic knowledge of World War II that he shared with anyone willing to listen. Education and knowledge were so important to him.

Our family would like to thank our friends and relatives that prayed for Walter during his four month long hospitalization. Towards the end, he repeatedly told his doctors that he wanted to be home for Christmas. Walter did in fact go to his eternal Home for Christmas on December 25 at 9:30 p.m.