Ronald C. Allan

1937 - 2017

Ronald C. Allan

Ronald C. Allan died peacefully on November 26, 2017, surrounded by his loving family.

Born in Chicago, Illinois on October 5, 1937, he spent most of life as a devoted citizen of Akron, Ohio.

He is survived by his wife of 54 years, Ann G. Allan; his three children, Jennifer Allan Soros, Katherine Allan Morison and Matthew C. Allan; and six grandchildren.

Ron was the only child of Depression-era Swedish immigrants; Sven Gustaf Johansson and Christina Victoria Petersson.

When he was a young child, his father worked as a chauffeur and his mother as a maid in Evanston, Ill. The family lived in an apartment above their employers' garage. Through a happy childhood, Ron forged values consistent with his family's Lutheran faith; frugality, generosity and a dedication to serving others. As a student at Lyons Township High School, he was an award-winning clarinetist and developed a lifelong love of music.

An NROTC graduate of the University of Michigan (BA, 1959; JD, 1964), Ron served three years aboard the USS Altair in the Navy Supply Corps on the North Sea and the Mediterranean. Following his tour of active duty, he served in the Naval Reserve for an additional 23 years, retiring in 1993 as a Captain. Ron took great pride in his military service. Each year he looked forward to donning his uniform for the annual Fairlawn Heights July Fourth parade. His uniform never needed alteration, he attributed this boon to his decades of disciplined running.

Ron met Ann while stationed at the Boston Naval Shipyard in 1962, and they married within a year. They eventually settled in Ohio, Ann's home state, where Ron joined the law firm of Brouse McDowell. In 1979, he moved to Buckingham Doolittle & Burroughs, where he spent the remainder of his long career.

A 50-year member of the Ohio State Bar Association, Ron took tremendous pride in his work. He felt most gratified when helping his clients achieve their goals. While at Buckingham, Ron also became known for his generous service to the community. He was an energetic and effective leader, highly accomplished at directing board business. He thrived in establishing strong board governance to ensure that the organizations he served enjoyed strong stewardship.

Ron's board and civic leadership included commitments to the Akron Art Museum, Akron Community Foundation, Akron General Medical Center, Akron Roundtable, Akron Symphony Orchestra, Banks-Baldwin Foundation, Family Services of Summit County, Old Trail School, Rotary Club of Akron, Tuesday Musical Association and WKSU.

In later years, Ron increasingly traded time at his law firm for visits with his out-of-state family, and he finally retired in December 2016. Most recently, he could be found on either coast bouncing a grandkid on his knee while singing songs from the Great American Songbook.

Ronald C. Allan was a family man, a patriot, a lawyer and a dear friend to many. He was proud of his Swedish heritage, proud of the great City of Akron, and not afraid to root for the Michigan Wolverines. He relished music and savored food, both of which he found went well with bourbon served straight up.

A memorial service featuring music Ron treasured will be held on Wednesday, December 13, 2017, 11 a.m. at Westminster Presbyterian Church, 1250 W. Exchange Street in Akron. A reception featuring Swedish cookies in the Church's Fellowship Hall to follow. In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation in Ron's memory to the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation, the Akron Community Foundation or the Palliative Care Fund of the Summa Health Foundation. To share a Memory, Send a Condolence or Light a Candle, visit the Tribute Wall at www.billowfuneralhomes.com (Billow FAIRLAWN Chapel)