Allan E. Bloom

ALLAN E. BLOOM, 74, a lifelong Fort Wayne resident, and former President Pro Tempore of the Indiana Senate, died Saturday, Aug. 18, 2007, at Parkview North Hospital. He was born on Oct. 16, 1932, one of three sons to A. Everett and Velma Bloom. He was a graduate of South Side High School and Valparaiso University Law School. He married the former Norma Meyer in 1954; she survives. In 2006, he was recognized by both the Indiana State Bar Association, and the Allen County Bar Association "for conspicuous dedication to the legal profession in achieving a golden career of 50 years as an attorney-at-law." He also received the Allen County Pro Bono Attorney of the Year Award for 2004. He was part of a family law firm, Bloom & Bloom, and then Bloom, Bloom, More and Miller, which at one point included his father, his uncle, Alton Bloom, his two brothers, Louis and Bruce Bloom, and his cousin, A. Dale Bloom. Most recently, he served of counsel at Burt, Blee, Dixon, Sutton and Bloom LLP, from which he retired in July. He served as a Republican in the Indiana State Legislature from 1960 to 1970, during which time he was elected Senate Minority Leader and Senate President Pro Tempore. In 1965, he was named "Outstanding Senator." He was the Republican nominee for Indiana's 4th District Congressional seat in 1972. He served as a bank director for 25 years, first with the Anthony Wayne Bank, and then with Summit Bank/NBD Bank, N.A., and also was a former board member of Parkview Hospital. He was a special deputy sheriff of Allen County, and later, twice appointed as a Fort Wayne Police Commissioner. He was also President of the Indiana Society of Natural History, and the Anthony Wayne Chapter of the Reserve Officers Association. An active member of First Wayne Street United Methodist Church, he served on the board of trustees, administrative board, and numerous other committees there. He was also a former president and chairman of the board of directors of the Warren United Methodist Home, serving for 18 years. He retired from the United States Marine Corps Reserve, with the rank of Lt. Colonel. In 1981, he was awarded a certificate of commodation from the Commandant of the U.S. Marine Corps, for his service to the Marine Corps and the Marine Corps Reserve. "He was a loving husband, father and grandfather." In addition to his wife, he is survived by his daughters and sons-in-law, Laura and Guy Shatto of Waterloo, and Linda Bloom and Paul Sommer of New York; one grandson, Jack Bloom Sommer of New York; and his brother, Louis Bloom of St. Augustine, Fla.; He was preceded in death by a brother, Bruce Bloom. Service is 10:30 a.m. Thursday at First Wayne Street United Methodist Church, 300 E. Wayne St., with calling one hour prior. Calling also from 2 to 4 and 6 to 8 p.m. Wednesday at Hockemeyer & Miller Funeral Home, 6131 St. Joe Road. Burial in Greenlawn Memorial Park. Preferred memorials to First Wayne Street United Methodist Church.