Robert D. Towne (1918-2008)

It is with sadness that we report the passing of Bob Towne, longtime volunteer at The Stamford Historical Society.  Bob was a resident of the Stamford and Darien area for 82 years. He graduated from Stamford High School in 1934 and from Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute in Troy, NY in 1938 with a degree in industrial engineering.  Before his retirement, he was president of the W.L. Towne Advertising Agency in New York City.

Bob was a mainstay of the society's Marcus Research Library, compiling and creating research material, and assisting the public on a weekly basis, often going beyond the call.  This writer remembers him fondly, not only as a great source of information for her website projects, but from many friendly chats.  Although "retired" from the library, he still attended the monthly meetings of the Library Committee until shortly before his death.  He was the recipient of the Virginia T. Davis, Stamford Historical Society, Distinguished Service Award, and a past member of the Board of Directors, where he served as treasurer.

He created a number of manuscript collection finding aids ("Record Groups") such as Stamford Fire Department - Records 1854-1965 and Stamford Fire Department - Miscellaneous logs, reports and documents 1901-1982 as well as a related item:  Stamford Fire Department - Records of Historic Origins and Events (listings and descriptions of fires, construction of fire stations, purchase of equipment, etc., with each entry's source is cited). Another major project of his were The Grand Lists (Taxation in Stamford, CT from 1641 to the Code of 1821).

All of us who worked with Bob over the years will miss his knowledge and wise council.  It can be truly said of him that he was the personification of a 'gentleman and a scholar.'

Ron Marcus, Society Librarian

Bob was also active in organizing reunions for both high school and college, including a seventy-second reunion for his Stamford High School class a few years ago.  He was a bridge Life Master and enjoyed ballroom dancing. 

Blog readers are encouraged to relate their reminiscences of Bob in the comment section below.