Howard A. Allen Jr.
Willison -- Howard "Bud" Allen of Williston, formerly of Burlington, passed away peacefully at home Wednesday, Dec. 6, 2000, after a long courageous battle with progressive supranuclear palsy. Mr. Allen was born in Burlington on May 25, 1918, the first son of Howard A. Allen, Sr. and Frances Barnes Allen. In 1936, he graduated from Burlington High School, where he was both senior class and permanent class president. During his high school years, he was a member of the Basketball Team, the 1936 State Champion Basketball Team, and the Track Team.
Mr. Allen graduated from the University of Vermont in 1940, earning a degree in business administration. While attending UVM, he was appointed to the Senior Boulder Honorary Society as well as the Sophomore and Junior Honorary Societies. He played varsity basketball and varsity track for three years. During college, he participated in the Civilian Pilot Training Program and earned his pilot's license. Upon graduation, he was commissioned a second lieutenant in the U.S. Army Reserve. Since graduation, and until recently, he served as Alumni President of the Class of 1940. In 1980, Mr. Allen received a Distinguished Alumni Award from the university.
Following college, he joined the family business, The Allen Agency Inc. His employment was interrupted early in 1941 when he was called to active duty with the 26th Infantry Division, where he served on Battalion Staff until going to the European Theater of Operations. There, he joined the 28th Division in Wales and went on to participate in the landing at Omaha Beach. During active duty, Mr. Allen earned five battle stars for fighting in Europe including Normandy, Liberation of Paris, Hurtgen Forest, Battle of the Bulge and the drive to the Rhine River. He was awarded the Bronze Star, Purple Heart and the Combat Infantry Badge. He retired from active duty in September 1945.
Following the war, Mr. Allen remained in the Army Reserve and graduated from The Command and General Staff College at Fort Leavenworth, Kan. He retired from the Army Reserve in 1965 as a lieutenant colonel. In 1945, he returned to the family insurance business, The Allen Agency, Inc. In 1949, his brother, Monroe, joined him in The Allen Agency, Inc. and together they established The Allen Agency Real Estate. Following his father's death in 1952, he became president of the business until he retired in 1982. Nov. 30, 1946, Mr. Allen married the former Helen Virginia Coffman in Burlington. They had four children, Kristen, Patricia, Susan, and Chip.
Mr. Allen was active in community affairs and served on the boards of The Greater Burlington Industrial Corporation and Cynosure Inc., where he served as president of both organizations. In June 1965, while serving on the board of the GBIC, Mr. Allen entered negotiations with IBM to open their facility in Essex Junction. During this time, he provided information relating to the community, which led to IBM's decision to locate in the greater Burlington area. Eventually, Mr. Allen handled the lease and option negotiations of the IBM contract.
During his lifetime, Mr. Allen was actively interested and committed to the community and development of the greater Burlington area. Mr. Allen was a former director of The Chittenden Corporation and the Chittenden Bank. He served on the board for 30 years. Throughout his life, Mr. Allen was very interested in education and served as a trustee of the Bennett C. Douglas School, Overlake Day School, Kimball Union Academy, the University of Vermont and the Vermont Association of Independent Colleges. He was a longtime member of the Burlington Rotary Club, past president in 1958, and a Paul Harris Fellow. Mr. Allen served as director of the Burlington-Lake Champlain Chamber of Commerce. He served as president of the Community Chest and chairman of the annual fund drive. He was a member of the Vermont Association of Insurance Agents. He also served as president of the local Veterans Club and was a charter member of Troop 1, Boy Scouts of America. He was a member of Sigma Phi Fraternity, Burlington Country Club, Ethan Allen Club, Burlington Tennis Club, where he served as a past president, and member of the Mount Mansfield Ski Club.
Mr. Allen was an avid golfer, tennis player and skier. Throughout his life, he most enjoyed his dogs, who were devoted companions. Mr. Allen is survived by his loving wife of 54 years, Virginia; and his children, Kristen A. Allen of Burlington, Patricia R. Allen of Derry, N.H., Susan Allen Veasey and her husband, Arthur and their children, Helen and Robert, of West Newbury, Mass.; and Howard A. Allen III and his wife, Renee and their son, Connor Howard Allen, of Burlington; his sister, Jane Allen Hadley of South Burlington; his brothers, Monroe B. Allen of Burlington and Frederic W. Allen of Shelburne. A memorial service will be held in St. Paul's Episcopal Cathedral on Friday, Dec. 8, 2000, at 11 a.m. Interment will be held privately at the convenience of the family. Corbin and Palmer Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements. In lieu of flowers, the family asks that contributions be made in his memory to the Class of 1940 Scholarship Fund, University of Vermont, Development Office, 411 Main St., Burlington, VT 05401; or a charity of one's choice.
Mr. Allen graduated from the University of Vermont in 1940, earning a degree in business administration. While attending UVM, he was appointed to the Senior Boulder Honorary Society as well as the Sophomore and Junior Honorary Societies. He played varsity basketball and varsity track for three years. During college, he participated in the Civilian Pilot Training Program and earned his pilot's license. Upon graduation, he was commissioned a second lieutenant in the U.S. Army Reserve. Since graduation, and until recently, he served as Alumni President of the Class of 1940. In 1980, Mr. Allen received a Distinguished Alumni Award from the university.
Following college, he joined the family business, The Allen Agency Inc. His employment was interrupted early in 1941 when he was called to active duty with the 26th Infantry Division, where he served on Battalion Staff until going to the European Theater of Operations. There, he joined the 28th Division in Wales and went on to participate in the landing at Omaha Beach. During active duty, Mr. Allen earned five battle stars for fighting in Europe including Normandy, Liberation of Paris, Hurtgen Forest, Battle of the Bulge and the drive to the Rhine River. He was awarded the Bronze Star, Purple Heart and the Combat Infantry Badge. He retired from active duty in September 1945.
Following the war, Mr. Allen remained in the Army Reserve and graduated from The Command and General Staff College at Fort Leavenworth, Kan. He retired from the Army Reserve in 1965 as a lieutenant colonel. In 1945, he returned to the family insurance business, The Allen Agency, Inc. In 1949, his brother, Monroe, joined him in The Allen Agency, Inc. and together they established The Allen Agency Real Estate. Following his father's death in 1952, he became president of the business until he retired in 1982. Nov. 30, 1946, Mr. Allen married the former Helen Virginia Coffman in Burlington. They had four children, Kristen, Patricia, Susan, and Chip.
Mr. Allen was active in community affairs and served on the boards of The Greater Burlington Industrial Corporation and Cynosure Inc., where he served as president of both organizations. In June 1965, while serving on the board of the GBIC, Mr. Allen entered negotiations with IBM to open their facility in Essex Junction. During this time, he provided information relating to the community, which led to IBM's decision to locate in the greater Burlington area. Eventually, Mr. Allen handled the lease and option negotiations of the IBM contract.
During his lifetime, Mr. Allen was actively interested and committed to the community and development of the greater Burlington area. Mr. Allen was a former director of The Chittenden Corporation and the Chittenden Bank. He served on the board for 30 years. Throughout his life, Mr. Allen was very interested in education and served as a trustee of the Bennett C. Douglas School, Overlake Day School, Kimball Union Academy, the University of Vermont and the Vermont Association of Independent Colleges. He was a longtime member of the Burlington Rotary Club, past president in 1958, and a Paul Harris Fellow. Mr. Allen served as director of the Burlington-Lake Champlain Chamber of Commerce. He served as president of the Community Chest and chairman of the annual fund drive. He was a member of the Vermont Association of Insurance Agents. He also served as president of the local Veterans Club and was a charter member of Troop 1, Boy Scouts of America. He was a member of Sigma Phi Fraternity, Burlington Country Club, Ethan Allen Club, Burlington Tennis Club, where he served as a past president, and member of the Mount Mansfield Ski Club.
Mr. Allen was an avid golfer, tennis player and skier. Throughout his life, he most enjoyed his dogs, who were devoted companions. Mr. Allen is survived by his loving wife of 54 years, Virginia; and his children, Kristen A. Allen of Burlington, Patricia R. Allen of Derry, N.H., Susan Allen Veasey and her husband, Arthur and their children, Helen and Robert, of West Newbury, Mass.; and Howard A. Allen III and his wife, Renee and their son, Connor Howard Allen, of Burlington; his sister, Jane Allen Hadley of South Burlington; his brothers, Monroe B. Allen of Burlington and Frederic W. Allen of Shelburne. A memorial service will be held in St. Paul's Episcopal Cathedral on Friday, Dec. 8, 2000, at 11 a.m. Interment will be held privately at the convenience of the family. Corbin and Palmer Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements. In lieu of flowers, the family asks that contributions be made in his memory to the Class of 1940 Scholarship Fund, University of Vermont, Development Office, 411 Main St., Burlington, VT 05401; or a charity of one's choice.
