Sherman Lee
Townsend, 78
DOVER - Sherman Lee Townsend passed away on October 19, 2022, at the family home on the Choptank River in Cambridge, Maryland.
Sherman was born on June 23, 1944, in Frankford, Delaware to the late Raymond E. Townsend, Sr. and A. Pearl Murray Townsend. He was raised on his family's Century Farm and very proud of his heritage as a Sussex County farmer and graduate of John M. Clayton High School.
In June 1966, Sherman received his Bachelor of Arts degree in Political Science and Economics from Wake Forest University in Winston-Salem, North Carolina, and later that month married his high school sweetheart Elaine Isaacs of Milford.
Shortly after graduation, Sherman joined the United States Army where he became an Officer and served in Germany for two years. During his service, Sherman led a tank convoy mission to protect the Soviet-Czechoslovakian border in 1968.
After a return to Delaware in 1970, Sherman and Elaine settled in Dover where he began a 47-year career in the financial services industry, retiring in 2017 as First Vice President at Merrill Lynch.
Sherman was a passionate advocate for the people of Delaware. He dedicated countless hours to organizations, institutions, and charities he held in high regard. For over 30 years, he was a member of the University of Delaware Board of Trustees providing guidance on finance, investments and public affairs. He was a Founding Member and past Chairman of the Delaware Community Foundation, remaining continuously active for over three decades. Most recently, Sherman was a devoted Chairman of the Board for the Delaware Institute of Medical Education and Research (DIMER), facilitating medical education for Delaware residents. Sherman had been a member of Wesley United Methodist Church and Ducks Unlimited since the 1970s.
Sherman was an exemplary husband, father, grandfather, neighbor, friend and mentor. He was enormously proud of his children and for the last ten years his granddaughters were the light of his life. He reveled in supporting his children's and grandchildren's activities and pursuits. Sherman had a genuine passion for helping others. He treasured his deep, lasting friendships and was forever eager to create new ones. Many have been quick to admire his loyalty, integrity and dedication.
Personally, Sherman enjoyed the outdoors, being by the water and tackling countless new projects. His hobbies included hunting, fishing, flying, wood working and boating.
Over the years, Sherman and Elaine were frequent travelers, sharing many adventures together and creating memories with family and friends. Earlier this month, Sherman and Elaine spent 10 days in Portugal enjoying being together in a new destination.
He is survived by his wife of 56 years, Elaine Townsend; his daughter, Elise Townsend, and granddaughter Catherine of Boston, Massachusetts; his son, D. Reid Townsend, daughter-in-law Ann and granddaughter Reagan of Millersville, Maryland; step-grandchildren, Jessica LaPointe and Bryanna Rupprecht; many special nieces, nephews, and cousins; and his Boykin Spaniel, Coco.
Funeral services will be held at 12 Noon on Friday, October 28, 2022, at Wesley United Methodist Church, 209 S. State Street, Dover, Delaware. Friends may call from 10:30 a.m. - 12 p.m. A private interment will follow at St. Georges United Methodist Church Cemetery, Frankford, Delaware.
In honor of Sherman's memory, stand up, reach out and help others. In lieu of flowers, please consider donations to the Delaware Community Foundation, 36 The Circle, Georgetown Delaware 19947 (www.delcf.org) or a charity of your choice.
Letters of condolence may be sent, and guestbook signed at www.torbertfuneral.com