Melvin Robert Townley, age 78, resident of Cambridge Springs, PA , died Friday, August 8, 2008 at Golden Living Center in Cambridge Springs, PA. Born in Erie, PA on August 9, 1930, he was a daughter of the late Merle Edward Townley and Marie M. Kitzer Townley. His mother died just weeks after she gave birth to Melvin.
Never married, Melvin graduated from Penn State University in 1952 receiving a B.A. degree in Liberal Arts and then served in the US Army for two years during the Korean War. He was stationed in the Rhine/Pfaltz area of Germany. After the service, Melvin studied in Western Europe for several years. In later life Melvin was a curator at the Natural History Museum of the Smithsonian Institute in Washington for 23 years. After his retirement he lived in the Hawaiian Islands several winters. He restored the old trolley depot in Cambridge Springs where he lived during the summers. His interests were traveling, nature, historic preservation and the Fine Arts. He was of the Protestant faith.
Melvin is survived by his half brother, Dr. Merle E. Townley, Jr. and his wife, Loraine of New Smyrna Beach, FL.
Friends may call at the Van Matre Family Funeral Home on Wednesday from 2:00 until 4:00 at which time a funeral service will be held. Interment will be in Gravel Run Cemetery.