Edward Leonard Allsup

Edward Leonard Allsup, Ph.D., 87, passed away on Friday, March 26, 2010 in Sun City West, AZ.

Dr. Allsup was born October 9, 1922 in Des Moines, IA to Howard and Myrtle Allsup. He served as a runner in Europe during WWII in the Army's Trailblazer 70th Infantry Division, unit C/274 earning several medals. During the war, he met Jean Harvey at a USO dance and upon return from Germany they were married November 3, 1945. He earned BA and Master's degrees in Music Education from The University of Kansas, and a Ph.D. in Education from the University of Southern California. He started teaching music in Newhall in 1955 and retired as principal from Newhall Elementary School in 1977. He also taught graduate students at Cal State LA and Pepperdine and was the reading consultant for various southern California school districts. He was active in community service through organizations including the Masons and Kiwanis.

In addition to his numerous career accomplishments, Dr. Allsup was an accomplished artist, creating hundreds of oil and acrylic paintings, woodcarvings, lapidary and stained glass. He wrote original music scores, played the piano, trumpet, French horn, church organ and sang in the church choir. He loved to learn new things and, in his senior years, taught himself the computer and (at the age of 50) how to downhill ski.

During his retirement, Dr. Allsup and his wife enjoyed traveling throughout the 50 US states, Canada and Mexico in their motor home, exploring Europe together, and taking cruises to the Orient and Panama Canal. They moved to their retirement home in Sun City West, AZ in 1989 where he enjoyed playing golf and took great pride in his hole-in-one game. His family remembers him for his playful and loving heart, his creative mind, his integrity, his humor, patriotism, and his honorable service to his country.

He is survived by his "bride" of 64 years, Jean; brother Jack Allsup; daughters and son-in-laws Sharon and Jim Drake, and Michele and Bill Hartline (all of Alaska); granddaughters and husbands Kelly and Niki Tshibaka, and Lindsay and Joshua Collier; granddaughter Jenna Drake; grandson Ron Drake; great grandchildren Denali, Josiah and Joseph Tshibaka and many nieces and nephews. He is preceded in death by his parents and brothers, Raymond and Carl.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made to Disabled American Veteran causes.