Allen H. Michels

In Loving Memory of Allen H. Michels

Allen H. Michels, 83, passed away peacefully in the hospital near his home in Mahwah, New Jersey, on June 2, 2024. Born and raised in Chicago, Illinois, Allen led an extraordinary life defined by intellectual curiosity, professional innovation, and a deep appreciation for history and art.

Allen is survived by his beloved wife of over 41 years, Elizabeth; his son Gregory and daughter-in-law Kimberly, who were by his side at the time of his passing; his children from a previous marriage, Andrew, Debbie, Tony, and Dana; his six grandchildren; and his sister, Esther Blum. He also leaves behind his brother-in-law David Ainley, and many loving relatives of the Ainley and Lally families.

Allen earned a B.S. in Mathematics from the Illinois Institute of Technology and an M.S. in Physics from Roosevelt University. Allen called many places home, spending significant time in San Francisco, California; Newton, Massachusetts; and later Atlanta, Georgia. He also spent years in upstate New York and Tucson, Arizona. His career took him across the United States, where he worked at renowned institutions, including the Radiation Instrument Development Laboratory, Motorola, Ferroxcube Laboratories (Philips Corporation), Digital Equipment Corporation and Intel Corporation. He was also the founder, CEO and Chairman of Convergent Technologies, Ardent Computer, NeoGenesis Drug Discovery, and Digital Guardian Corporation.

Allen's passions extended well beyond his professional life. He had a profound appreciation for history, particularly World War II and the American Civil War, which he studied extensively. Allen was fervent about global politics, especially as a Jewish man living in America, and desiring peace throughout the world. He was a lifelong animal lover. He and Elizabeth shared their home with many beloved pets over the years. A dedicated collector, he amassed an extensive collection of Japanese ceramics, woodblock prints, and artwork, as well as stamps, American coins, books, and classic films.

Allen will be remembered as a man of exceptional intellect and curiosity, whose varied interests beckoned those around him. Allen's larger-than-life personality filled every room with laughter and warmth. His generosity, youthful spirit, and outrageous sense of humor left an indelible impression on all who knew him, endearing him to friends, colleagues, and family alike.