Herbert “Herb” George Townsend
May 20, 1953 ~ March 11, 2026
Herbert “Herb” G. Townsend, 72, Brandon, SD, passed from this life on Wednesday, March 11, 2026, at the Dougherty Hospice House in Sioux Falls, after dementia slowly stole away the pieces that he needed to be whole.
A Celebration of Life Open House will be held on Saturday, March 21, 2026, at 10:00 a.m., at Heartland Funeral Home in Brandon with a Memorial Service beginning at 11:00 a.m. Burial will follow at Brandon Cemetery in Brandon. You may watch the service via live stream by clicking HERE.
Herbert “Herb” George Townsend was born May 20, 1953, in Ekalaka, MT, to Robert and Ruth (Albert) Townsend. He was named after both of his grandfathers (Herbert Albert and George Townsend). The family lived in Glendive, MT, for a short time and then moved to Baker, MT, where his dad accepted the position of Chief of Police. Herb grew up with six of his siblings and many friends, graduating from Baker High School in 1971.
In his teen years, Herb played football, basketball, was in track events, and in Legion Baseball during summer months. Herb once held the school record for the longest kick returned for a touchdown (85 yards). He was proud to be a member of the 1970 Class B State Champion Basketball Team, “B” Club, Choir, National Honor Society, was a Boy’s State Delegate his junior year, and Student Council President his senior year. In the summer of 1971, Herb also toured Europe with a Great Falls choir group, after his cousin Debi encouraged him to try out. He had a wonderful singing voice.
Herb married Martha Rustad in September of 1974 and graduated from Eastern Montana College (now MSU-Billings) in the spring of 1975, where he was a “walk on” for Coach Harkins. He taught school and coached in Terry for four years and then in Laurel, where he later served as their Activities Director for many years and was honored as the MIAAA Class A Activities Director of the Year in 2002 and Overall Activities Director of the Year in 2003. (Herb was a strong proponent of all extra-curricular activities and believed that participation in them helped contribute to student success.) He had been a member of the Montana High School Association, served on their board, and was a past president. During his tenure in Laurel, a state-of-the-art football and track & field stadium was completed, and Laurel was then able to bid for state events. Herb was once referred to as “Mr. Tournament”. He was later inducted into the MIAAA Hall of Fame’s inaugural class of 2025.
This social guy and life-long Montanan retired from education in the spring of 2014 and a few short years later moved to eastern South Dakota to be near his much-loved children and grandchildren, who always held his heart.
Herb is survived by his wife, Martha; son, Eric (Christine) Townsend; daughter, Marcie (Andy) Viet; grandchildren, Zayda & Bree, and Briggs & Hailey. He is also survived by brothers, Jerry, Steve, and Scott; sisters, Rebecca and Dawn; and numerous nieces and nephews.
He was preceded in death by his parents; grandparents; sister, Susan; half-sister, Shirley; nephew, Craig; uncles, Gary and Lloyd Townsend, and Rex and Dean Albert; and aunt, Georgetta McCamish.
“May each tear and each fond memory be a note of love rising to meet you.” ~ Jennifer Williamson
Townsends, I was so sad to see this news. I have so many wonderful memories of Mr. Townsend (I simply cannot call you “Herb, sir!”) both as a student-athlete and a coach under his direction. He was a wonderful human and I’m so sorry for your loss.
My heart is with all of the Townsend family as you celebrate the life of Herb, one of the best people I have ever worked with in the Laurel School District. What a blessing it is to know he was able to be with family and to get to know his grandchildren. To know he is with Jesus is the best blessing of all. I am praying for each of you, knowing your memories of your husband, father, grandfather, and brother are cherished.
Had some fun with Herb in High School, he was a great guy………..
Prayers for you and your family……………RIP Herb, you did well………………
Martha and family,
I’m so sorry to hear of Herb’s passing. He was such a great supporter of all Laurel activities and just a genuine nice man. May your memories give you comfort.
Our sympathies to you and your family
I worked with Herb for many years when we were both Class A Activities Directors. He was very professional in the way he handled his job and was always well respected by the Class A Administrators. When Belgrade built a tournament facility in 1997 I leaned on Herb for advice on how to manage a successful tournament. He was very helpful. Sorry for your loss. He was a good one. RIP Herb.
Love this guy. I have some of my greatest memories with Herby in the background of my elementary to high school years at Laurel. Always high energy, and always a positive influence on those around him. He left a huge mark on generations with his leadership and positive attitudes toward everyone he met. God has received one of our best in Herb.
This breaks my heart! Mr. Townsend was a teacher in Terry my senior year. He quickly became one of our favorite faculty members and coaches. He was respected and appreciated for his ability to teach, establish a conducive learning environment and still be approachable. He was such a nice man. Sending my deepest sympathy to his family.
I had Mr. Townsend as a teacher and coach in Terry. I really enjoyed playing for him. He always had a positive outlook as well as a great sense of humor. I especially enjoyed visiting with him after I got into coaching and teaching. He will be missed.
I am so very sad to learn of Mr. Townsend’s passing. He was one of the very best, most upbeat teachers and coaches at Terry High School, and we loved him dearly. I always looked forward to Mr. Townsend’s class. I am keeping his beloved family in my prayers for comfort and peace beyond all understanding.
Martha and family, We are so very sorry to hear of your loss. Keeping you all in our prayers
Mrs. Townsend and family. Your father was a wonderful man, Coach, Teacher, and Referee. As life is, always ends up, the men and women who would make the best leaders and authorities end up serving under those who are terrible at it. I enjoyed basketball with Herb and would have liked to see him at head varsity coach. His smile, humor and wisdom will be missed.
This is so sad to hear. Mr Townsend was one of a kind. He left many memories in our family. He will be missed by the many people who knew him.
A great man and wonderful teacher, you will be missed, but forever in our hearts. My prayers to the family, so sorry for your loss.
Mentors like Mr. Townsend helped shape us into the people that we are today. To his family I offer my thanks for sharing him with his students over the years and prayers that you can remember all the things that made this man great as you work through your grief. Thank you Mr. Townsend for your countless hours helping kids like me want to reach for great things, even things that we don’t believe we have the right to reach for. Thank you for your belief and support even after we left the halls of Laurel High School, you still acknowledged us, you still asked us about our lives and our goals, you still encouraged and believed in us. I will forever smile at the saying “Quarter, Dime, Nickel, oh no it’s Michelle Penne”. May you rest in the knowledge that we heard you, we practiced what you taught and we are forever greatful.
Herb.. what a kind, positive and successful man. Prayers for the Towsends and extended families and everyone who loved him. There were MANY lives he touched. Rest easy, Herb.
I worked at the Laurel Outlook in the 1990s when Herb was activities director at Laurel High School. No one was better at that job than Herb. Always helpful, he was great to work with, quick to laugh, and had a keen sense of humor. My condolences to his family.
I have many fond memories of Herb and cherish his laugh and sense of humor. We became friends when he moved to Baker and we were teammates on baseball and basketball teams. I always admired his leadership and friendship. He was successful in what is important in life and made us all better for knowing him. My prayers and thoughts are with Martha and you family.
Martha and family. Our deepest condolences and sympathy to all. Herb was really one of the good ones. He always had a smile for everyone and he was calm when trying to settle an issue. Herb and I had a running joke after taking tickets at a Billings West game. He would tell me he would pay me double, if I would help him out. It was a volunteer position. The answer was always the same…ABSOLUTELY NOT! I can still hear him laugh.