In Memoriam: Townsend 'Towny' Anschutz
August 1, 2014
Townsend “Towny” Anschutz, an environment, safety, and health (ES&H) engineer I in the Photon Sciences Directorate, died on June 28, 2014. He was 69 years old.
Anschutz joined the Brookhaven Lab staff in July 2008, but worked as a contractor before that, overseeing construction safety during the Research Support Building (Bldg. 400) construction project.
He was hired as an employee to work on the National Synchrotron Light Source II (NSLS-II) project.
“He was a dedicated worker who often came in after hours or on Saturdays to meet with contractors,” said Lori Stiegler, Anschutz's supervisor. “He was always willing to help out and make sure everyone was safe. He was a familiar and welcome sight touring the construction areas in his hard hat and safety vest, and looking out for the contractors.”
Ken Krasner, who recently retired from Brookhaven Lab as a Project Engineer I, recalled Anschutz as a seasoned veteran of the construction safety profession who taught him a great deal.
“I was a relative newcomer to the field,” Krasner said. “And I learned much by watching and working with Towny, and we became good friends.”
Anschutz and Krasner worked side by side for five years on the NSLS-II project.
“Towny ensured that workers on the site strictly adhered to the Occupational Safety and Health Administration regulations and Lab safety policies and procedures,” Krasner said. “When he saw a violation he quickly corrected the situation and the workers would often seek out his advice on how to improve a process and make it safer.”
Krasner said Anschutz was singularly focused on saving lives.
“We would start each day with the single goal of saving lives, and preventing serious injury,” he said. “Towny was well respected by his colleagues and by contractors as well. He taught me much and I was privileged to know him—and to call him my friend.”
Anschutz is survived by his wife Jane, son Matthew, and daughters Kristen and Megan.
2014-5048 | INT/EXT | Newsroom
