On Saturday, September 24, the Townsend Reese Memorial Pollinator Garden was dedicated in the memory of Townsend, who was a long-time parent and supporter of the Miracle League of Alexandria. Attending the dedication were his family members: Janet (wife), Emma (daughter), Andrew & Philip (sons) and members of the Miracle League Board and players, supporters and volunteers from the league.
Townsend received a B.A. in Government and Politics from the University of Maryland in 1976. In 1983, he was awarded a B.S. in Engineering with a primary focus in Nuclear Engineering from the University of Maryland. Townsend participated in clean-up efforts at Three Mile Island and spent several years working at Nuclear Power Plants in Illinois, Miami and Huntsville, AL, before returning to the Washington area.
Townsend joined the United States Patent and Trademark Office in 2013 as a Patent Examiner, a job he held until his death. He was proud to be a Civil Servant and often commented on how it allowed him to demonstrate his patriotism.
Townsend was passionate about baseball. His grandfather had been a bat boy in the 1910’s for the old Washington Senators team and told him stories about baseball greats like Walter Johnson and Ty Cobb. Townsend was an ardent fan of the Orioles, Red Sox and Nationals. He supported the building of the Miracle League Field in Alexandria, delighted that it meant that baseball could be accessible to individuals of all abilities.
In addition to his love of baseball, Townsend was also fascinated by space flight, dinosaurs, politics, history, and had an encyclopedic knowledge of each. Most of all, Townsend will be remembered for his sweet nature, limitless patience, quirky sense of humor, and above all, his tremendous love of his family. Townsend and Janet have been proud supporters of the Miracle League of Alexandria since its inception in the spring of 2011. Philip is one of our original players in the league and continues to play today. Townsend, Janet, Philip and the family were here for the beginning of our league, the dedication of the field in 2012 and could often be seen at the field supporting Philip during his games.
Townsend’s friendly smile could always be seen when he came. He always asked how we were doing and if we needed anything. He told us that he was so thankful Philip had a place to be able to play baseball and that he could watch him play. He told me on several occasions he thought the Miracle League was something special and he appreciated us having the program.
Mac Slover, Chair of the Miracle League stated, “Today, we honor Townsend’s memory with the dedication of the Townsend Reese Memorial Pollinator Garden here at the Kelley Cares Miracle Field. May the spirit of Townsend always be with his immediate family and his Miracle League family too. We love you Townsend!”
