Allen Siegle

Siegle, Allen Harvey 76, a 27-year resident of Lake Forest, Illinois, passed away on May 12 as a result of complications from lung cancer. He was born on June 10, 1937, in Newark, New Jersey, to Sylvia and David Siegle, who, along with Allen's sister, Sheila, preceded him in death. He is survived by Phyllis, his loving wife of 49 years; their son, Greg J. Siegle and his wife, Monica Barback; and their daughter, Dana R. Mochel and her husband, Matthew Mochel. Allen graduated from Ohio University (Athens), after which he earned an MBA at the University of Connecticut (Stamford). After graduation from college, Allen and Phyllis moved to West Orange, New Jersey, and Stamford, Connecticut, before moving to Lake Forest, Illinois. Allen was a pioneer in the computer industry by helping to design the COBOL language and the software to support early mainframe computers. Working throughout his professional career for a number of start-ups and large companies (Mutual Benefit Life Insurance Company, ITT, American National Can Co.), he shepherded the industry's transition from mainframes to personal computers. After he "retired," he opened a computer-consulting service to bring "big business" sensibilities and small-town home visits and warmth to individuals and small businesses. He also donated his time to help non-profits with their computers. He learned to fish when he was five years old and was an outdoorsman ever since. He was an avid birdwatcher, who identified hundreds of bird species wherever his travels took him throughout his life. He participated in annual hawk migration counts for the National Audubon Society and gave away bird books to people he encountered who expressed an interest in learning more about birds or nature. His love of birds, knowledge of computers, and the advent of the digital camera converged to produce the high-quality nature photographs for which he was noted. Frequently he shared his bird images with the two camera clubs he and Phyllis belong to Riverwoods Nature Photographic Society and the North Shore Camera Club in Lake Forest. He was also a long-time active member of the Lake Forest Open Lands Association and the National Audubon Society. Allen Siegle will be remembered as a warm, passionate, giving, and kind man, who was devoted to his family, friends and clients. To honor his life, a memorial service is being planned for June. Donations may be made to the University of Pittsburgh Cancer Institute at http://www.upci.upmc.edu/giving/gifts_honor.cfm designated "to support cancer research through the hematopoietic stem cell laboratory" or to The Cornell Lab of Ornithology at https://give.birds.cornell.edu/ea-action/action?ea.client.id=1806&ea.campaign.id=22175&ea.tracking.id=WEB.