Allan Ferguson
Meriden, N.H. — Allan Robert Ferguson died peacefully at his home in Meriden, on Sunday, Sept. 3, 2017.
A quietly passionate man of great integrity and humility, Allan was steadfast in his devotion to his family, community and his many business ventures.
Allan’s pride was his family, their interests and education. The slightest interest expressed was met with enthusiastic conversation, research and support. He reveled in his family’s successes and supported them in their challenges. Cheering them on in sports, chasing them down a snowy mountain or sending books, articles or just making a call to check in. He was always enthusiastically present for his family.
His career began as a chemical engineer at Johnson & Johnson where he rose to executive positions developing experience in operational safety and efficiency and biotech. After 20 years with J&J, he moved to the Boston area to take subsequent senior operating positions at two biotech companies. After a few years, he transferred his passion for medical advancement to international venture capital investing in biotech and medical device companies at 3i Group plc, Aspen and then Atlas Ventures. In 2007, he retired as head of U.S. operations from 3i Group plc to join his wife, Myra, full-time in New Hampshire. There they managed a tree farm together and Allan applied his operational acumen to community organizations and supporting education by reducing energy usage in the local school to improve learning environments and reduce operational spending.
In addition to many corporate boards, Allan served as a member of the Advisory Board at the Tuck Entrepreneurial Center, a member of the board of directors of the National Venture Capital Association, chairing the research and outreach committees and on the board of More Than Wheels.
A self-made man, he never forgot his alma mater, the University of Delaware, where in 1966, he earned a bachelor of science in Chemical Engineering. He has served on the UofD Advisory Board for the Department of Chemical Engineering and in 2003, was inducted into the Wall of Fame. In 2016, Allan and Myra, both University of Delaware alumni, funded a chair in the Department of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering.
Born June 21, 1942, in Montclair, N.J., Allan is survived by his beloved wife of 51 years, Myra; his siblings, David Ferguson and his wife, Laurel of Duxbury, Mass. and Karen Ferguson, M.D. of Vero Beach, Fla.; his daughters, Marcie Campbell and her husband Lindy of Somerville, Mass. and Jane Ferguson, Ph.D. of San Ramon, Calif.; his grandchildren, Fiona and Liam Campbell and Olivia and James Horton and, of course, his devoted dog, Maisie.
An online guest book is available to leave a message of condolence for Allan’s family by visiting www.rickerfuneralhome.com.
In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation in Allan’s honor to The Michael J. Fox Foundation for Parkinson’s Research. A celebration of his life is being planned for the future.
