Allan Blue

1928 - 2016

Allan Blue 1928 - 2016
Aviation Historian
BENDERSVILLE, PA- Allan "Skip" Blue, 88, died peacefully at his home in Bendersville, PA, on Saturday, April 2, 2016.
Allan was born February 6, 1928, in Poland, NY, the youngest son of Ernest and Lulu (Davis) Blue. He was predeceased by brothers, Malcolm and Douglas, and wife, Elizabeth (Regan) Blue, mother of his two children.
He is survived by wife, Laura Frye-Blue, also of Bendersville; son, Grant Blue and wife, Chris, of Boulder, CO; and daughter, Debra (Blue) Landy and husband, Joe, of Athens, PA. Also surviving are granddaughters, Colleen Schmitt and husband, Matt, of Urbana, MD, Kathleen McKenna and husband, Andrew, of Arlington, VA, Brigid Landy, of Camp Hill, PA, and Maggie Lawler and husband, Lawrence, of Boston, MA. Allan also had the joy of knowing four great-grandchildren.
Allan was a graduate of Poland Central Schools and served in the United States Navy during WW II. He received an undergraduate degree from Union College and a master's degree from Syracuse University. Allan worked briefly as a teacher at Governor's Academy (formerly Governor Dummer Academy) in Massachusetts. After receiving his master's degree, Allan began working for the United States Atomic Energy Commission. In 1965, Allan joined the Advanced Research Projects Agency (ARPA) at the Pentagon. The agency, later known as DARPA, was a research arm of the Department of Defense that, among many other advancements, developed a time-sharing network of computers known as ARPANET, the precursor to today's Internet. He retired from the Advanced Research Projects Agency in 1977.
Allan's active retirement included extensive traveling and working on his many hobbies. He enjoyed model railroading, music, and wood working, which led to the construction of two full-sized cabins. His primary endeavor was his devotion to the history of WW II aircraft, specifically the B-24 and the 492nd Bomb Group. He spent countless hours corresponding with WW II veterans, as well as the children and grandchildren of the Greatest Generation who were interested in learning more about the B-24 and its place in their family's history. Allan wrote several books about the B-24 and was considered the foremost authority on its history.
The family will gather in June for services to celebrate Allan's life. Notes to the family can be directed to the online guest book provided through www.cremationsocietyofPA.com.
Memorial donations may be made to: The 492nd Bomb Group Association, c/o Fran Gramberg, Treasurer, 7025 W. Bruns Road, Monee, IL 60449.