Rick Townsend passed away on April 22

It is with great sadness that I must inform you that Rick Townsend passed away on April 22. Rick has been a member of NNJR since the ‘60s. He was instrumental in getting our Driver Ed program under way 45 years ago, he took a turn as editor of Porscheforus, served as President of NNJR and was one of our first Chief Instructors.

Rick was a true gentleman who enjoyed driving and talking Porsches, a passion he shared with his wife Laurel and his children Kristin and Scott. His thoughtful instruction at the track inspired countless students, some of whom are now NNJR instructors themselves.

A funeral service will be held for Rick at 2 p.m. Saturday April 30, 2016 at McKendree United Methodist Church, 4347 Manfield Rd., Manquin, VA 23106. In lieu of flowers, the family requests contributions be made to the Pulmonary Fibrosis Foundation, 230 East Ohio Street, Suite 304, Chicago, IL 60611. Phone at 888-733-6741 or online at pulmonaryfibrosis.org. Vincent Funeral Home is handling arrangements. Tributes can be posted at www.vincentfh.com.

A memorial in New Jersey will be held on Monday, May 2nd, at the Marco Polo Restaurant, 527 Morris Avenue, Summit, NJ 07901, from 5 p.m. until it ends, to celebrate Rick’s life. If you have any stories about Rick you are invited to share them at the memorial. A buffet dinner and open bar will be provided.

Rick has been very influential in shaping NNJR’s Driver Ed program and has made many friends along the way who will sorely miss him. Our thoughts and prayers are with Laurel, Kristin and Scott.

Sincerely,

Tom Iervolino
NNJR President