Richard "Dick" Allen's Obituary
Richard “Dick” Allen, 88, of New Smyrna Beach, Fla. and formerly of Grand Haven died peacefully on Saturday, April 1, 2017, at home.
Richard was born Oct. 28, 1928, in Lansing, the son of J. Arthur and Laverne Allen of Holt.
On March 28, 1949, he married the former Laurie Wilson, also of Holt. They celebrated more than 50 years of marriage before she preceded him in death on Dec. 12, 2003.
He spent the last decade of his life with his companion, Donna Hicks Smith, also a former Holt resident.
A graduate of Holt High School, Richard was active in football, basketball, baseball, golf, swimming, boating, plays, charities and church.
He graduated from Michigan State University with a B.S. in Business Administration, Marketing and Economics. He also attended the University of Syracuse, N.Y.
He was a past president of the MSU Business Alumni Association and of the Sigma Alpha Epsilon chapters in Ohio, Indiana and Detroit.
Richard began his career as a bank examiner, and then worked for many years in sales and sales management. He ended his career as sales manager at Stalter Edge Tool Company. He previously worked as chairman for American Industrial Door in Detroit. He also worked at Doorman Manufacturing, Kinnear Corporation, Holcomb & Holme Manufacturing Co., Peterson Window Corp. and Crawford Door Company.
Richard lived for many years at the former family cottage in Grand Haven’s Stickney Ridge, where he was president of the Highland Park Association.
He was a member of the United Methodist Church of the Dunes in Grand Haven. In recent years he was a member of the Coronado Community United Methodist Church.
Richard was preceded in death by his wife, Laurie, as well as his younger brothers, Kenneth Allen and Ronald Allen.
He is survived by his sons, Dave (Peggy) Allen of New Smyrna Beach, Fla., Jim (Cynthia) Allen of San Diego, Calif., and Bill Allen of San Diego, Calif.; five grandchildren: Allyssa Gum, Heather O’Tuel, David Todd Allen, Tristan Allen and Tucker Allen; six great grandchildren; sister-in-law, Bea Allen of Gulfport, Miss.; and several nieces and nephews.
The funeral service will be held at 11 a.m. Friday, April 28, at the United Methodist Church of the Dunes, 717 Sheldon Road, Grand Haven, with Rev. Eldon Eldred officiating. A reception will follow. Friends may meet the family 5-7 p.m. Thursday, April 27, at Sytsema Funeral & Cremation Services – The VanZantwick Chapel.
Burial will be held later that day at the Trufant Cemetery.
Share memories with the family at their online guest book at www.sytsemafh.com
What’s your fondest memory of Richard?
What’s a lesson you learned from Richard?
Share a story where Richard's kindness touched your heart.
Describe a day with Richard you’ll never forget.
How did Richard make you smile?