Michael Patrick Townsend was born November 23, 1939 in Springfield to Robert and Eileen Huber Townsend. He graduated from Illinois College in 1961 and received his Masters in Social Work from West Virginia University in 1966. In 1970, Townsend became the District Administrator of Children and Family Services of Sangamon County, and in 1975 he began teaching at Sangamon State University. He retired in 2009 as an Emeritus Associate Professor of Human Services and Social Work. Throughout his career he was an active community member, founding and joining organizations in Springfield and at the university.

Michael Townsend married Carol Piascik on September 3, 1960. She passed away on February 26, 2009.