Beloved Family Patriarch

 Robert Allen, loving and caring husband, father, grandfather, great-grandfather and friend,  was suddenly called home by his Lord and Savior on Tuesday, October 2, 2007.

 Robert was born on June 17, 1923 in Hartford, Connecticut.  He and his younger brother and sister spent their childhood in various New England towns.   He entered Harvard University in 1942 and later that year he proudly answered the call to defend his country and joined the 15th Infantry Division of the United States Army. He served in Luxembourg during the battle of the Bulge and, while stationed in Port Talbot, South Wales, he met the love of his life, Beryl Saunders.  They were married May 21st, 1945 in Neath, South Wales.

 Upon Robert’s return home, he resumed his studies at Harvard University, successfully completing graduate work leading to a doctorate in geological sciences in 1950.  Robert worked in geological and materials research for 38 years.  He began his career with the U.S. Geological Survey in Claremont, California and continued his profession working for different aerospace firms in southern California including Jet Propulsion Laboratory, Aerojet-General and McDonnell Douglas Company.

 In August of 1966 Robert moved his family to the Tri-Cities where he helped to open a new research facility for McDonnell Douglas Labs in Richland.  He later worked on numerous projects for Battelle Northwest PNNL and Westinghouse Hanford before retiring in July 1988.

 Robert’s kindred soul lives on in the hearts of his beloved wife of 62 years, Beryl Allen, and his six adoring children, and spouses:  son Thomas Allen and wife Vicki of Kennewick, Wa.,    daughter Doreen Charette and husband Bruce of Mossyrock, Wa.,   daughter Beryl Anderson and husband Richard of Spokane, Wa.,   son Robert Allen and wife Donna of Richland, Wa., son William Allen and wife Jan of Everett, Wa., and daughter Rosemary Hamann and husband David of Pasco, Wa.  He is also survived by his 9 loving grandchildren: Kimberly, Tracy, Tom, Eric, Kristen, Christine, Robert, Jennifer, and Sarah and his 12 heart-warming great-grandchildren:  Jacob, Aaron, Emily, Ana, Alex, Terra, Natalie, Jessica, Malcolm, Justin, Thaila, and Jaiden.  The family that Robert loved so dearly is the family who joyfully and thankfully kindled the light in his life.

 As we mourn for the man we all shared a profound love with, we do so with a subtle and purposeful smile as we preserve our winsome memories of Robert’s remarkable sense of humor.  While sharing a joke, Robert was infamously known for speaking a word or two of a different language, always resulting in a cleverly unified parcel of unforgettable comical genius.  He was a man of deep faith who loved his family and found great pleasure in simple things, like a family barbeque on a cool, summer night.

 Robert was a devout member of the St. Alban’s Orthodox Mission in Richland.  A celebration of Robert’s caring and fruitful life will be held Saturday, October 6, 2007 at 2:00 PM at Central United Protestant Church, 1124 Stevens Dr. in Richland.  The celebration will be officiated by the Rev. Father Bernard Kinnick, pastor of St. Nicholas Antiochian Orthodox church in Spokane who came to know Robert during his regular visits to Richland to minister to the local mission.

 A reception for Robert’s family and friends will be held in the Fellowship Hall at the church immediately following the service.  A private graveside ceremony will follow later at Sunset Memorial Gardens in Richland.

 Memorial gifts in honor of Robert’s life may be directed to the charity of your choice.

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                      “I am the resurrection and the life.  He who believes in me will live, 
                        even though he dies; and whoever lives and believes in me will never die.”
                                                                                                          - John 11:25-26 NIV