Myles Kavanagh Towne, Jr.

Myles Kavanagh Towne, Jr. passed away Monday August 11, 2025. He was born in Peabody, Massachusetts to Myles K Towne and Marion (Phillips) Towne, the 11th generation of Towne family members who called the region home. He graduated from Haverhill High School in Haverhill, Massachusetts, and earned Bachelor’s and Master’s degrees in chemical engineering from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology. He served as a Lieutenant in the US Air Force during the Korean War. While stationed at Wright Patterson Air Force Base in Dayton, Ohio, he met Ruth Marie Wendholt, a young woman from Evansville, Indiana, working as a secretary at the base. They fell in love, married, and enjoyed 56 years of wedded life together until Ruth’s death in 2012.

Myles’s career encompassed over 30 years working for the Union Carbide Corporation in locations in Tonawanda, New York, East Chicago, Indiana, and Cleveland, Ohio. After retirement, Myles consulted for over 10 years for AMOCO in Cleveland, Ohio and Alpharetta, Georgia. His initial work included development and production of laser crystals, and later the development and application of carbon fibers for industrial and government projects. He was recognized by NASA for his technical excellence and outstanding leadership in carbon fiber science for the nation’s space program. He was a member of the American Institute of Chemical Engineers, American Chemical Society and American Ceramic Society.

Myles enjoyed running, golfing, gardening, and playing bridge, and was an avid sports fan. As retirement neared, Myles and Ruth moved to Newburgh, Indiana to be closer to Ruth’s family. They were active members of St. John the Baptist Catholic Church. They travelled extensively with Ruth’s family, friends, church groups, and a parish priest to every continent, multiple times, save Antarctica.

In later retirement, they bought a townhouse in Colorado to be near their daughter and two grandchildren. Sadly, Ruth died before they could make the move together, but Myles relished the life he made in Colorado. He became an active member of St. Thomas More Church, attended daily mass, and continued to travel the world, often with church groups, church friends, or his daughter’s family. He embraced Denver’s sports teams, cheering on the Rockies, Nuggets, and Broncos, even when they played his lifelong favorite teams - the Red Sox, Celtics, and Patriots!

As health changes became more challenging, he moved in with his daughter, Beth, and her husband Dan. His patient, humble, dignified, and disciplined nature sustained him through 3 years of limited mobility. He was an engaged citizen, reading and consuming news of current affairs, science, geography, and history. He took great pleasure from frequent visits from his grandchildren and great grandchildren.

Myles was preceded in death by his sister Mary Baggett, brothers in law, cousins, and nephews. He is survived by his daughter Beth Towne Wilson (Dan Wilson), son Chris Towne (Terri Klein-Towne) granddaughter Courtney Wilson, grandson Mike Wilson (Brianna Wilson) great grand-daughters Charlotte and Grace Wilson.

In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation to one of Myles’s favorite charities: Catholic Relief Services, The National Park Foundation, or The Nature Conservancy.