Craig Albert Townsend went home with his Lord and Savior on Tuesday, December 27th, 2011. He died peacefully at home with his loving family at his bedside. Craig was born in Des Moines, Iowa on March 18th, 1918 to Craig Albert Townsend Sr. and Georgia L. Townsend. While he was still very young, the family moved to Southern California where he grew up. He attended the University of California at Berkeley, where he obtained undergraduate and graduate degrees in Chemistry and became a published author in the field of Chemistry. He also served in the United States Army during World War II in England. Craig met his lovely wife, a young school teacher, Ethel Roberta Bills, while on a double date with his brother, Bob, and another teacher. Both couples eventually married. Craig and Ethel were married August 17, 1947 and raised four children. They spent most of their years raising their family in Salinas where Craig was a professor of Chemistry at Hartnell Junior College. Most of their retirement years were in Mariposa, Paso Robles, San Rafael and most recently in Wasco. Craig was preceded in death by his youngest son, John, in 2010. He is survived by his wife, Ethel, children and their spouses: Alan and Julie Townsend of Wasco, Gary and Beky Townsend of Fairfax, California, and Susan Townsend and husband, Steve Loomis of Horseshoe Bend, Idaho. He is also survived by his grandchildren, Rebekka Siemens (Nate), Cory Townsend (Alyssa), Ryan Townsend(Ting), Janae Balikian(Steve), Emily, Aliese, Shanna Townsend, six great grandchildren, and his younger brother, Robert Townsend of Monterey. A graveside service will be held Tuesday, January 3, 2012 at 2pm at Wasco Memorial Park for Craig Albert Townsend. Pastor Joey Cardamone of the Grace Community Church will officiate and interment will follow.