Dallas Townsend
Encyclopedia
Dallas S. Townsend, Jr. was an American broadcast journalist who worked for CBS Radio
and television for over 40 years.
, graduating in the class of 1936. He graduated from Princeton University
in 1940 and thereafter attended the Columbia School of Journalism. After working briefly as an editor in New York City
he served in the Army. During World War II
he was an Army communications officer.
for over 40 years. During his tenure he worked on the CBS Radio Network
's morning World News Roundup
and the Roundups evening companion, then known as The World Tonight. Townsend covered a variety of news events including: national political conventions and elections, space launches, atomic tests, international peace conferences, and presidential inaugurations.
He anchored the CBS World News Roundup for the better part of 30 years, after CBS sent Winston Burdett
to Rome
in 1954. Most of that time he anchored 6 a.m. and 10 a.m. broadcasts but abandoned that schedule in last years with CBS because it required him to rise before the sun.
Dallas was survived by his wife of 56 years, Lois Bradley Townsend. They lived in Montclair, New Jersey
and raised four children, three daughters and a son: Katharine, Nancy, Patricia and Douglas. He retired in 1985 from CBS and moved to Sarasota, Florida. They spent much of their time in Bala, Ontario, Canada.
CBS Radio Network
The CBS Radio Network provides news, sports and other programming to more than 1,000 radio stations throughout the United States. The network is owned by CBS Corporation, and operated by CBS Radio ....
and television for over 40 years.
Early career
Townsend attended Montclair Kimberley AcademyMontclair Kimberley Academy
Montclair Kimberley Academy, abbreviated "MKA", is a private coeducational day school located in Montclair, New Jersey, serving students from Pre-Kindergarten through 12th grade. Thomas W. Nammack became the school's fourth Headmaster in July 2005...
, graduating in the class of 1936. He graduated from Princeton University
Princeton University
Princeton University is a private research university located in Princeton, New Jersey, United States. The school is one of the eight universities of the Ivy League, and is one of the nine Colonial Colleges founded before the American Revolution....
in 1940 and thereafter attended the Columbia School of Journalism. After working briefly as an editor in New York City
New York City
New York is the most populous city in the United States and the center of the New York Metropolitan Area, one of the most populous metropolitan areas in the world. New York exerts a significant impact upon global commerce, finance, media, art, fashion, research, technology, education, and...
he served in the Army. During World War II
World War II
World War II, or the Second World War , was a global conflict lasting from 1939 to 1945, involving most of the world's nations—including all of the great powers—eventually forming two opposing military alliances: the Allies and the Axis...
he was an Army communications officer.
CBS
Townsend was associated with CBSCBS
CBS Broadcasting Inc. is a major US commercial broadcasting television network, which started as a radio network. The name is derived from the initials of the network's former name, Columbia Broadcasting System. The network is sometimes referred to as the "Eye Network" in reference to the shape of...
for over 40 years. During his tenure he worked on the CBS Radio Network
CBS Radio Network
The CBS Radio Network provides news, sports and other programming to more than 1,000 radio stations throughout the United States. The network is owned by CBS Corporation, and operated by CBS Radio ....
's morning World News Roundup
CBS World News Roundup
The CBS World News Roundup is a radio newscast that airs weekday mornings and evenings on the CBS Radio Network.It first went on-air on March 13, 1938 at 8 p.m...
and the Roundups evening companion, then known as The World Tonight. Townsend covered a variety of news events including: national political conventions and elections, space launches, atomic tests, international peace conferences, and presidential inaugurations.
He anchored the CBS World News Roundup for the better part of 30 years, after CBS sent Winston Burdett
Winston Burdett
Winston Burdett was an American broadcast journalist and correspondent for the CBS Radio Network during World War II and later for CBS television news. He was born in Buffalo, New York. From 1937-1942 he was involved with the Communist Party...
to Rome
Rome
Rome is the capital of Italy and the country's largest and most populated city and comune, with over 2.7 million residents in . The city is located in the central-western portion of the Italian Peninsula, on the Tiber River within the Lazio region of Italy.Rome's history spans two and a half...
in 1954. Most of that time he anchored 6 a.m. and 10 a.m. broadcasts but abandoned that schedule in last years with CBS because it required him to rise before the sun.
Dallas was survived by his wife of 56 years, Lois Bradley Townsend. They lived in Montclair, New Jersey
Montclair, New Jersey
-Demographics:As of the census of 2000, there were 38,977 people, 15,020 households, and 9,687 families residing in the township. The population density was 6,183.6 people per square mile . There were 15,531 housing units at an average density of 2,464.0 per square mile...
and raised four children, three daughters and a son: Katharine, Nancy, Patricia and Douglas. He retired in 1985 from CBS and moved to Sarasota, Florida. They spent much of their time in Bala, Ontario, Canada.