Page 18 - The Caucus Tribute Book 2021

CAUCUS HUMANITARIANS OF THE YEAR AWARD JEANNE AND TOM TOWNSEND
James Hirsch
Caucus Co-Chair Presenting
Tom and Jeanne Townsend met as students at Duke University in the late 1970’s. They were married in 1984, and put down roots in St. Louis, focusing on their respective careers in advertising and law. In 1996, Tom co-founded the advertising agency Rodgers Townsend, creating a culture of creativity and character that produced award- winning work for national clients such as AT&T, Enterprise, Energizer, PBS and Microsoft.
In 2010, Tom and Jeanne lost their oldest child, Alex, in a car accident while he was a graphic design student at Savannah College of Art and Design (SCAD). They started the Alex Townsend Memorial Foundation in his honor. Tom continued to act as the Chief Creative Officer at Rodgers Townsend for several years but was called by Alex in different directions.
In 2012, Tom and Jeanne founded Pianos for People, a non-profit organization in St. Louis that provides free pianos and piano lessons to children and families with limited resources, giving them equal access to the transformative power of music. You can see the wonderful work their organization does at
https://pianosforpeople.org/
In 2014, Tom retired from Rodgers Townsend to devote himself to the family’s philanthropic efforts. The A-Town Get Down (www.a-town get down.com) has been recognized as one of Savannah’s top festivals and has provided thousands with the gift of art and music. The Alex Townsend Memorial Foundation has funded initiatives at Oliverian School, Pianos for People, A-Town Get Down, and SCAD.
Tom and Jeanne have also been major donors and award recipients of The St. Louis Black Repertory Company, the longest standing professional African-American theatre company in the nation. In addition, Tom has been a donor, board member, and marketing consultant, and traveled with Outreach to Nicaragua, Malawi, India, the Philippines, and Nepal.
In September 2018, Tom was shot in an attempted carjacking near his home. He spent months in the hospital, having numerous life-saving and reconstructive surgeries. He passed away in St. Louis on October 4, 2019, following a brief battle with angiosarcoma, a cancer most probably related to his shooting.
Tom’s passing only energized Jeanne and their children, Nate and Laura to carry on his tremendous legacy of love and generosity. All three remain active in the family’s philanthropic causes. They are honored and humbled to be part of tonight’s celebration.