Robert C. Allen

BARRE TOWN - Robert Claron Allen, 84, of Camels Hump Drive, died Tuesday Aug. 4, 2009, at his home with his family at his bedside.

Born March 3, 1925, in Barre City, he was the son of Loren H. and Garnet (Amadon) Allen. He was a Spaulding High School graduate in the class of 1943 and played on the varsity football team.

A veteran of World War II, he served in the U.S. Navy from 1943 until 1946 in the Submarine Service and had been stationed aboard the USS Irex in the Pacific Theater.

Following his military service, he received his associate's degree at Wentworth Institute in Boston in 1948. His career began at the family business, the Allen Lumber Co. in Barre in 1948. He became president of the company and continued this association until his retirement in 1991, still keeping in daily contact with his five sons who are the current management team.

On June 28, 1947, he married Sylvia Watkins in Barre. Most of their married life had been spent in Barre City and later Barre Town. They enjoyed their winter home in Rotonda West, Fla., and their cottage on Partridge Lake in Littleton, N.H., during the summer months. Sylvia died March 12, 2009, and was the love of his life.

His sons and their families, woodworking, golf, fishing, maintaining his home and grounds and Partridge Lake activities were his lifetime enjoyments.

Bob's memberships included the Barre Universalist Church, where he had taught Sunday school in earlier years; Granite Masonic Lodge #35, Granite Chapter #26 RAM; Barre Council #22 RAND SM and St. Aldemar Commandery #11 K.T. all of Barre and Mt. Sinai Shrine Temple # 3 of Montpelier of which he was Potentate in 1972, as well as the Country Club of Barre, the Rotonda West (Fla.) Country Club and Barre American Legion Post #10.

He was a longtime member of the Barre Rotary Club, being president in 1955, and was instrumental in establishing the Rotary Home Show at the Barre Auditorium. Other memberships included the Victory Fish and Game Club and the Partridge Lake Association.

Being a highly respected businessman, he served on several boards of directors including the Northeastern Lumber Dealers Association, The Lumberman's Merchandising Corp., The Vermont Mutual Insurance Co., The Northern Securities Co. and the Granite Mutual Insurance Co.

Contributing much to the civic conscience of the Barre area, he was a past president of the Barre Chapter of the American Red Cross, past manager of the Barre Santa Claus Club, and received the Barre Area Junior Chamber of Commerce Distinguished Service Award in 1958 as well as giving service to the Vermont Advisory Banking Council, the Barre Planning Commission, Barre Chamber of Commerce as a director, first director of the Barre area Red Cross Blood Drawing and directorships on the boards of the former Barre City Hospital and the Central Vermont Medical Center.

Survivors include his five sons and their spouses, Gary and Marilyn Allen, Burnie and Debbie Allen, Paul and Helen Allen and Steven and Wendy Allen, all of Barre Town, and Tom Allen and Ami Milne-Allen of St. Johnsbury. Also surviving are 17 grandchildren and nine great-grandchildren; his sister Connie Allen Calcagni and her husband, Alfred, and their family; and sister-in-law Betty Reid and her family.

The Service of Remembrance and Life Celebration for Bob will be held Wednesday, Aug. 12, 2009, at 2 p.m. in the Barre Universalist Church.

There are no calling hours.

Memorial contributions may be made to the Central Vermont Home Health and Hospice, 600 Granger Road Barre, VT 05641, or Shriners Hospitals for Children, PO Box 742 Montpelier, VT 05601-0742.

The Hooker and Whitcomb Funeral Home, 7 Academy St., Barre, is in charge of the arrangements.