Robert Earl Allen

Robert Earl Allen, age 98, of Springfi eld, Missouri, passed away peacefully on March 4, 2026. Born on January 20, 1928, in New Castle, Indiana, Robert was a beacon of faith, love, and kindness whose life touched countless people around the world.
As a young boy, Robert was full of energy and adventure. He loved music and mastered the trombone, and as a teenager, he worked as a lifeguard. His adventurous spirit and deep sense of duty led him to join the Merchant Marines at the age of 16 to serve his country during World War II. During that time, he contracted tuberculosis and was sent home to recover. His mother was also battling tuberculosis, and together they endured a long and diffi cult season of illness, relying heavily on the support of family and their faith in God.
It was during this time that Robert met a remarkable young woman named Norma Lee. Norma had a tender heart for those who were sick and elderly and made it her personal ministry to visit and pray with them. One evening, she walked into Robert's room carrying a bowl of ice cream for the young man confi ned to bed with tuberculosis. What began as an act of compassion soon became a lifelong love story. Robert often spoke of the divine hand of God in that moment. After experiencing healing and recovery, he felt a calling to devote his life to ministry and share the Gospel of Jesus Christ with the world.
Robert married the love of his life, Norma Lee Allen, on May 10, 1948, in Tucson, Arizona. Together, they shared a beautiful partnership in life and ministry for 77 years. As ordained ministers and missionaries with the Assemblies of God, Robert and Norma faithfully served in ministry for more than 50 years.
In 1953, they pioneered a church in Kaneohe, Hawaii. They later pastored Pepeekeo Assembly of God on the Big Island of Hawaii. They built the Lihue Assembly of God Church on Kauai, Hawaii. While they were there, he also served on the Hawaiian District Council of the Assemblies of God for four years. In 1971, they answered the call to missions in Micronesia, moving to the island of Pohnpei, where they started and built a church in Kolonia. They ministered there for 14 years before continuing their missionary work in American Samoa for four years, where they also helped teach in the Bible school.
After returning to the United States, Robert and Norma continued their pastoral ministry in Bisbee, Arizona, and Tucson, Arizona, before retiring from full-time ministry in 1995. For the past 17 years, Robert had been living near family in Springfi eld, Missouri.
Robert had a warm and welcoming spirit that drew people to him. His bright smile could light up a room, and his gentle, caring heart made everyone feel valued
and loved. He had a deep passion for sharing the love of Jesus and helping others wherever he could.
He was also a wonderful storyteller and loved sitting with family, sharing stories from his many adventures in life and ministry. His love for adventure never faded, and he delighted in recounting the many places he had traveled and the people he had met along the way.
Above all else, Robert treasured his family. He often told them that he had "the best family in the world." His only daughter, Theresa Lee Hanna, was truly the apple of his eye, and he loved her deeply. His pride and joy only grew as his family expanded.
Known affectionately as "Popo" by his grandchildren and great-grandchildren, Robert was a sweet, gentle, and joy-fi lled grandfather who brought laughter, warmth, and encouragement wherever he went. His loving presence and playful spirit made every gathering brighter, and his family will forever cherish the memories and wisdom he shared with them.
Robert was preceded in death by his beloved wife, Norma Lee Allen; his parents, Carl and Ethel (Nipp) Allen; his sister, Dorothy Oberderfer; and his son-in-law, Terry Hanna, whom he loved as his own son.
He is survived by his loving daughter, Theresa Lee Hanna; his three granddaughters and their husbands, whom he loved as his own grandsons: Deborah and Aaron Parks, Lisa and Sam Paris, and Laurie and Dave Gordon; and his nine great-grandchildren: Adam, Ashlee, and Amara Parks; Liam, Kailee, Ari, and Terry Paris; and Ethan and Alice Bennett.

Family will gather to honor and remember Robert's incredible legacy of love, faith, and service.
Robert will be deeply missed by all who knew and loved him. His warm heart, joyful spirit, and unwavering faith touched many lives. Though he is no longer with us on earth, his legacy of love will continue to shine in the hearts of his family until the day they are reunited in Heaven in the presence of their Lord.