Dr. Robert Harold Allshouse

Dr. Robert Harold Allshouse
Professor, Author, Sailor, and Businessman
Bells tolled and flags were lowered for Robert H. Allshouse, Ph.D., age 85, of Erie, PA, and Bradenton, FL, as he put to sea for the last time and dropped anchor on November 28, 2025, to meet the Creator and Sovereign Pilot of the Universe.
"Bob" was launched on April 30, 1940, in Erie, PA, the son of the late Harold and Anne Dranzek Allshouse. After a childhood in Erie and his graduation from Cathedral Prep (Class of 1958), he earned a Bachelor's degree in Economics and Business Administration from Fenn College, now Cleveland State University. He went on to earn a Master's degree and Doctorate in Russian History from Case Western University. During his studies he acted as a National Defense Fellow at the CIC Slavic Institute at the University of Illinois, and a civilian Military History Fellow at the United States Military Academy at West Point.
Before embarking on his "real job" of teaching, Bob held positions that included a warehouseman, traveling salesman, Teamster, railroad signalman, and armed guard at a liquor warehouse. He was also a U.S. Army Reserve member, with active duty at Ft. Knox, KY, and Ft. Eustice, VA, where he served as a deckhand assigned to an amphibious assault squadron.
Dr. Allshouse began his teaching career as a professor of Russian History at Alliance College, then spent the next 45 years as a Professor of History at Gannon University, where he acted as the Chair of the Department of History for 10 years and the Director of the Graduate Social Studies program for 20 years. He served as Chapter President of the American Association of University Professors, President of the Gannon Faculty Senate, and was a founding member and Secretary-Treasurer of the International Association for Intelligence Education (IAFIE). He hosted numerous student, community, and business trips to Russia and the Soviet Union, and he led Military History students on battlefield tours to Valley Forge, Fort Niagara, Gettysburg and Antietam. He acted as a visiting professor at Latvian State University in Riga, Latvia, and served as an adjunct professor at Edinboro University, the Behrend College of Penn State University, and Mercyhurst University. Dr. Allshouse was responsible for initiating an American/Soviet student exchange program between Strong Vincent High School in Erie, PA, and Sister School #40 in Riga, Latvia, and he received a substantial research grant from the Canadian government to travel throughout Canada and develop an academic course in Canadian history. Throughout his academic career, he was honored with many teaching and service awards.
As a renowned expert in Russian History, Dr. Allshouse authored Photographs for the Tsar, which won the Photographic Historical Society of New York Merit Award and was named as one of the top five books of the year by the Christian Science Monitor. He delivered academic papers and lectures at numerous conferences and universities throughout the U.S. and Russia, including the U.S. War College, Taft Institute, Chautauqua Institution, and the international speaker series, "Treasures of the Czars," which also featured President George H. W. Bush. Dr. Allshouse traveled extensively throughout Europe and the Mediterranean as an on-board lecturer for the Cunard Line, leading historical tours and lectures for cruise passengers.
In his business endeavors, Bob served as President of Allegheny International Development, Inc., which was the first Soviet-American Joint Venture in the Latvian Republic. He was Secretary-Treasurer of Great Lakes Pen Sales, Inc., a Board Member of McManis & Monsalve Associates, Inc., and a Partner in Pennfoil Technologies, Inc., which was formed to develop joint business opportunities in the U.S. and China. He was an active member of the International Trade Committee of the Erie Chamber of Commerce where he helped to foster Sister City relationships with Lublin, Poland, and Zibo, China, and initiated reciprocal relationships with Jinan United University and Zibo State University in China. He was a member of the Erie Chapter of Rotary International and served on the Board of Directors and a trustee of the Rotary Scholarship Foundation.
An avid sailor with a life-long love of the Great Lakes, Bob served as Commodore of the Erie Yacht Club, where he sailed two sloops named Royalties, and edited two books on the history of the Club. He also served as Vice President of the Flagship Niagara League and Secretary of the Bayfront Maritime Center Board. Throughout his life, he remained active in the community, serving as President of the Erie Historical Museum Authority, St. Peter Parish Council, and Frontier Improvement Association; and was a member of the United Way Advisory Board, Millcreek Township School District Advisory Board, and the Erie County Historic Preservation Board.
In a life well-lived and well-traveled, Bob visited more than 40 countries where he experienced a multitude of unique adventures. He rode in the Goodyear Blimp and summited the active volcano Mount Etna. He spent a day with Alex Haley during the research of his book Roots, and met with former President of Poland Lech Walesa. He celebrated a memorable July 4th at the Ambassador's Residence in Moscow where he partied with former Soviet Cosmonauts and the pianist Van Clyburn. He was even invited by the British Ambassador to help unveil a statue with Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II in Riga, Latvia. His most cherished memories, however, were the moments spent with his beloved family.
In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his stepmother, Dorothy Cooper Allshouse and brother-in-law, Robert P. Sigler.
Survivors include Robert's wife and muse, partner, travel agent, inspiration, and co-conspirator in life, Marcia Windsor Allshouse, whom he married after a whirlwind courtship of seven years and with whom he honeymooned for 62 years. He is further survived by his three children: Lisa C. Zapotocky, M.D., and her husband, George, of Bradenton, FL; Heather A. Kenny, Ph.D., and her husband, Paul, of Lakewood Ranch, FL; Todd A. Allshouse and his wife, Meghan, of Collegeville, PA. As a devoted grandfather, he took great pride and joy spending time with his four lovely granddaughters: Lauren Kenny Spring and her husband, Adam, of Lakeland, FL; Claire C. Kenny, D.P.T., of Boston, MA; and Madelyn C. Allshouse and Emma R. Allshouse of Collegeville, PA. He was also survived by his sister, Mary Eleanor Sigler, of Erie, PA; sisters-in-law, Marjorie Windsor Zalar, and her husband Frank of Chagrin Falls, OH, and Audra Windsor Snyder and her husband Shane of Erie; numerous nieces, nephews, grand-nieces, grand-nephews and godchildren; his Cathedral Prep "Lunch Bunch;" fellow Past Commodores of the Erie Yacht Club; and countless friends, both newfound and life-long.
Visitors may call on December 11 from 3 pm to 7 pm at the Brugger Home for Funerals at 1595 West 38th Street in Erie. A Celebratory Mass of Christian Burial will be held at St. Peter Cathedral on December 12 at 10:30 am. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to St. Peter Cathedral, Emmaus Soup Kitchen, or the Bayfront Maritime Center.