Milton Allen

1924 - 2015

Milton Allen of Coatesville Milton Allen, 90, of Coatesville, passed away on Jan. 19, 2015. He was born in Philadelphia in November of 1924. He died suddenly from a severe case of pneumonia. Milt grew up in Montgomery County, on a small farm, in Whitpain Township. He attended Whitpain H.S., and graduated early to enlist in the United States Army, as he wanted to fight in WWII. He received two Bronze Stars for acts of heroism while in the Infantry and fighting in France and Germany. Following the war he returned back to the Philadelphia area and attended Lehigh University in Bethlehem, Pa. He graduated in 1949 with a BS degree in civil engineering. After graduation, he re-enlisted in the United States Army and was soon stationed in Germany for a period of four years. During his tour of duty in Germany, his only child was born. In 1954 he returned to the states and served another three years in the Army Core of Engineers and retired as a Captain. In 1960 Milt joined Luria Brothers Inc. At that time, Luria was the largest scrap metal broker in the world with operating units serving all the major steel companies. He took over all operations for the Coatesville and Modena plants, which were supplying Lukens Steel with all of their scrap metal. In 1978 he became the Eastern Regional Operations Manager overseeing all east coast operations. He retired from Luria Brothers in 1989. During his 30 year working career in Coatesville, Milt felt a tremendous need and desire to give back to the community in which he worked and lived. And as a result of that need and desire, he became highly involved in the community. He joined the Board of Directors of the Coatesville Hospital and soon became Chairman of the Board. Under his leadership, he knew the community would soon outgrow the local hospital which was located at the west end of the town, a vision not shared by everyone. After one of the most controversial issues to face the town at that time, Milt prevailed and the result is the Brandywine Hospital. The old hospital was turned into a retirement/nursing facility, known today as the Harrison House. His volunteer experience guiding the hospital for over 15 years led him to two more volunteer positions, as he joined the Board for the Hospital Authority of Chester County and the Inter-County Hospitalization Board. He also became president of the Brandywine Valley Association. The BVA's purpose was and is to promote the restoration, preservation, conservation and enjoyment of the natural resources of the Brandywine Valley and to protect the river water. Milt also joined the board of the Chester County Solid Waste Authority and again, soon became chairman. He was also served on the board for the Brandywine Health Foundation, Planned Parenthood, was President of the Coatesville Library and a founding member of Coatesville Area Partners for Progress, known as CAPP. He is survived by his wife of 46 years, Virginia Larkin Allen, a resident of Coatesville and his son, Marty Allen, who lives in Sausalito, Calif. There are no plans for a funeral service.