Robert Samuel Allen

ALLEN, ROBERT SAMUEL, 82, August 16, 1943 - September 23, 2025, of Knoxville and formerly of Sevierville, died at Parkwest Hospital on September 23, 2025. Known as Robert to his Sevier County High School classmates but as Bob to family and friends. He was preceded in death by his parents, Dixie Fowler Allen and Mildred Robertson Allen, sisters Doris Walker and Mary Ruth Ownby, and brother Richard Allen. Bob is survived by his loving wife of 37 years, Janene Maynard Allen, daughter Abby Fetter, granddaughters Sophie and Lila Fetter, step-daughter Stephanie Lusby (Todd) and step-grandchildren Jessica and Ethan, step-son Christopher Drummond (Kim) and step-grandchildren Shelby and Gavin, and nieces Linda Jerrolds, Dr. Janice Walker Fillmore, and Emily Walker, PhD. After graduating from UT, Bob, who served in the Tennessee and North Carolina Army National Guard, embarked on an investigative career and was a Special Agent with Naval Intelligence, the FBI, and the TVA Inspector General. Following an early federal retirement in 1993, Bob owned and operated a river tubing business in Sevier County, and then built the River Piece Inn which Janene and he operated until 2003. After his second retirement, Bob wrote three books about historical events in Sevier and Knox Counties. These included the story of an African American pitcher for the 1953 Knoxville Smokies; the account of a horrific 1949 double homicide in Sevier County; and details of an unsolved murder in 1951 in Knox County. Bob had been a member of the Society of Former Agents of the FBI since 1986. He also was a member of the United States Power Squadrons, a national boating organization, for five years and served as Commander of the Knoxville Squadron for two consecutive years. Janene and Bob lived in Sevier County for 13 years and had lived in Knoxville since 2007. In lieu of flowers Bob requested donations be sent to the Bill Robertson Scholarship, SCHS Foundation, P.O. Box 4124, Sevierville, TN 37864 or to the Winter Haven Wolverines Youth Sports League, Inc., P.O. Box 3221, Winter Haven, FL 33885. At Bob's request there will be no services.