Richard "Dick" Allen

Richard "Dick" Allen
June 2, 1932 - Sept. 1, 2016
Resident of Concord, California
Richard "Dick" Allen passed away peacefully on Sept. 1, 2016, in Concord surrounded by family. He is survived by his wife Vicki, daughters Vicki Allen Sosey (Craig) and Debbie Allen Alvord (Peter), sons Mike (Linda) and Matt Wooldridge, grandsons Griffin Wooldridge and Vidal Vazquez, brother Patrick Allen (Lana), sister-in-law Lee Allen, and several nieces and nephews.
Dick was born in Spokane, Washington, and attended Lewis and Clark High School, where he was an all-star second baseman. After high school, he enlisted in the Navy and was stationed in Alaska. He then attended Eastern Washington College and Whitman College, where he received a Bachelor's degree, and San Francisco State University, where he received a Master's degree.
During a career in education that spanned more than 50 years, Dick was a devoted advocate for all students. He started with the Mt. Diablo Unified School District (MDUSD) in 1956 as a teacher at Holbrook Elementary. He taught at four elementary schools until taking a position as vice principal in 1964, and then a position as principal in 1967. He was principal at four elementary schools—Pacheco, Monte Gardens, Clayton Valley, and Hidden Valley—through 1983, when he was named director of elementary education. From 1985 until his retirement in 1997, he was director of adult and continuing education. After retiring, he was elected to the MDUSD school board for three terms. In 2006, the Mt. Diablo Alternative Education Foundation established the Dick Allen Award to recognize contributions to the MDUSD's alternative education students and programs.
Outside of the local schools, Dick was involved with and served on the boards of many organizations, including Caring Hands, the Concord Chamber of Commerce, Court Appointed Special Advocates, the Black Families Association, and the Monument Crisis Center. He and his wife Vicki also fostered an at-risk youth.
To all he encountered, Dick showed warmth, compassion, and kindness. He was unfailingly open-minded and fair, whether negotiating with teachers unions or guiding his children. We are very sorry to have lost him but so very thankful to have had him in our lives.
Please join us for a Celebration of Life for Dick Allen on Thursday, Sept. 22, from 6:30-9:30 p.m. at the Pleasant Hill Community Center, 320 Civic Drive, Pleasant Hill. In lieu of flowers, donations in Dick's name can be made to the Mt. Diablo Alternative Education Foundation at www.mdaef.org or MDAEF, P.O. Box 784, Concord, CA 94522.


View the online memorial for Richard "Dick" Allen