Allen Roger Haring

Allen Roger Haring, 85, of Kutztown, died on Saturday, July 22, 2023, surrounded by his family. Allen was the husband of Joan P. Haring for 65 years. Born in Lyons Station, Allen was the fourth child of twelve born to the late Emma A. (Rollman) and Chester A. Haring, Jr.

An insatiable curiosity, energy, and love for life carried Allen through adventures big and small. His sharp mind and exacting eye, ready humor and infectious laughter, calm patience and enduring strength will be deeply missed.

Allen was a proud 1956 graduate of Kutztown Area High School and illustrated the class's yearbook. He enlisted in the Marine Corps at 18, building on his knowledge of electronics to undertake the challenging aviation radar repair course. Allen finished first in his class, earning him the privilege to select where he served. Fulfilling a dream to travel, he chose an overseas assignment and was stationed with the 11th Marine Air Group in Atsugi, Japan, from where his unit performed operations in Taiwan and the Philippines.

Upon settling in Kutztown in 1960, Allen began his career in Allentown at Western Electric (later called AT&T). He advanced through technical and managerial ranks, while attending Muhlenberg College in the evenings. Allen worked in multiple aspects of the manufacturing of semiconductors. Among his achievements, Allen was awarded a U.S. Patent for his invention of a method to uniformly plate multiple contact areas supported by a ceramic base. His employees campaigned to gain Allen recognition as one of Western Electric's "best bosses," which Allen humbly said was surely just their attempt to embarrass him. After 29 years of service, corporate re-structuring gave him the chance to retire in 1989.

Allen was a lifelong ham radio operator, avid photographer, tireless gardener, and skilled woodworker and electronics tinkerer, able to repair just about anything. He made drawings to entertain people and to explain what was in his amazing mind. Designing and building his own home was the culmination of Allen's many talents. He looked forward to fishing trips to Leaser Lake and Blue Marsh, and to Canada with his brothers.

His attention to detail and technical skill produced thousands of beautiful photographs documenting the Kutztown Fair, scenes of Berks County, his beloved grandchildren and great grandchildren, and tiny things that most people overlook. Allen shared his photographs online, long before Instagram existed, and found community with amateur photographers around the world.

He was a dedicated volunteer, serving on the Maxatawny Township Planning Commission, as an advisor to the Kutztown Area High School's engineering club, and on the boards of directors of the Kutztown Fair Association and the Keith Haring Foundation.

Along with his wife Joan, Allen is survived by his daughters, Kay A. Haring and her husband Tom E. Wessner, Muhlenberg Township, Berks County; Karen A. (Haring) DeLong and her husband Scott J. DeLong, Kutztown; and Kristen A. Haring and her husband Roger S. Magoulas, Sonoma County, California. Allen had four grandchildren: Lana Jo Hill and husband Tanner Spaulding; Jenna K. Hill; Seth S. DeLong and partner Victoria DeLuca; and Rachel K. DeLong; as well as four great grandchildren: Harlow Moon Hill; Mitchell Allen Spaulding; Keith Lawrence Spaulding; and Violet Joan Spaulding. Allen is survived by siblings: Cora Ellen Spare, Suzanne Azinger, Timothy Haring, Sidney Haring, Christopher Haring, and Deborah Frederick. In addition to his parents, Allen was predeceased by his siblings Denton Fenstermacher, Neil Haring, Joseph Haring, Michael Haring, and Manda Lou Haring; as well as by his son, artist Keith A. Haring, who learned to draw while sitting on Allen's lap.

A memorial service to celebrate and honor Allen's life will be scheduled in the coming weeks. Ludwick Funeral Homes and Cremation Care, Inc., Kutztown, is in charge of arrangements. Memories and condolences may be shared at www.ludwickfh.com