Luther P. Towner

Obituary For Luther P. Towner

Luther P. Towner, scientist, entrepreneur, businessman and beloved patriarch, passed away peacefully following a brief, but valiant, struggle with septicemia on January 16, 2023, surrounded by loved ones at his home in Chicago, Illinois. He was 91.

Luther was born April 4, 1931, in Chicago to Annie Ruth (Perdue) and Luther Lavair Towner. Shortly after his arrival, Luther’s family returned to their original hometown of Montgomery, Alabama. Growing up in the segregated south during the Great Depression was incredibly difficult. The Towner children had very little and often did not get enough to eat. Luther taught himself to read at a very early age by picking up newspapers around the house and frequently took refuge in books, often visiting the only library available to him on the campus of Alabama State University, a historically Black university. Luther graduated from the Alabama State Laboratory School at 16 and began studying at Alabama State University.

Following the outbreak of the Korean War in 1950, Luther enlisted in The US Air Force and served in one of the first integrated military units as a medic on a US Air Force base in Japan. This experience sparked his desire to become a physician. At the conclusion of the war, Luther finished his studies at the University of Minnesota on the GI Bill, graduating with a Bachelor's Degree in Microbiology in 1956. As a young professional, Luther was an active member of the ACLU and a precinct captain for the Democratic party. Though he did not pursue medical school, Luther relied on his scientific training throughout his career as a health department inspector, food chemist and power company developer.

Luther met his wife of 52 years, Lou Rhea, in 1966. They dated throughout the late 60s, going for coffee, talking about big ideas, listening to music, and visiting art museums. The couple married in 1970 and built a beautiful life together in Minneapolis, raising two children, Arrisen and Rheaana (Guess). Fatherhood was Luther’s greatest joy. He was a loving, devoted, and engaged father - and later, an absolutely doting grandfather. Luther liked connecting with all people, especially those with unique backgrounds, experiences and stories. Luther loved to laugh and was generous with his enthusiasm, always offering an encouraging word to family and friends.

Luther worked throughout the 1960s and 1970s as a scientist and real estate developer, but his biggest professional success came in the late 1980s and early 1990s when he created a string of energy businesses that he sold to larger power companies. Luther was the consummate deal maker and loved the thrill of closing complex transactions.

In 1993, Luther and Lou left Minneapolis for semi-retirement in Seattle, Washington, where they would live for 25 wonderful years. During this time, Luther and Lou built their dream house, and traveled extensively throughout the US, Mexico, the Caribbean, Central and South America, Europe and Asia. A voracious reader and information junkie, Luther routinely read at least two newspapers a day. Luther also loved fine dining and was never shy about sampling wine or spirits. He was an avid fan of all kinds of music, particularly jazz and classical, and enjoyed attending live performances. Whether it was going to a jazz concert or opera, enjoying a boat cruise, or cheering at a Mariner's game, Luther loved being in the mix. He adored football and was a lifelong Minnesota Vikings fan.

In 2019, Lou and Luther moved to Chicago to be closer to their daughter and grandchildren, taking over a high-rise condo and fully embracing city living. Prior to the pandemic, they availed themselves of local restaurants and museums and enjoyed a performance of the musical Hamilton. Riding out the pandemic in Chicago was not easy, but Luther remained healthy and engaged. He slowed down a bit in his final months, but still liked watching his Vikings, listening to NPR, enjoying good food and drink and sharing a great laugh. He will always be remembered for that laugh. When Luther laughed, he laughed with his entire body.

Luther is survived by his beloved wife, Lou, his children Arrisen Towner (Kriss Turner-Towner) and Rheaana Guess (Larry Guess), three granddaughters Zoe Towner and Vivienne and Simone Guess, his sister Carolyn Cherry (Leonard Cherry), loving nieces, nephews and cousins and many fantastic friends around the country and the world. He is preceded in death by his parents Annie and Luther L. Towner, and his brothers Cecil and Albert Towner.

A Celebration of Life Service is planned for March 25, 2023 in Chicago, Illinois. Additional details will be provided as they become available. In lieu of flowers, please make a donation in Luther’s honor to The Primo Center of Chicago, a dynamic non-profit organization empowering families experiencing housing insecurity to become productive, responsible, and independent members of their community https://www.primocenter.org

When Luther parted your company, he often said, “Bravo, ciao ciao, be good and drive carefully.”

Bravo and ciao ciao, indeed.