Bart Davison Allen

Bart Davison Allen was born to Elmer Albert and Orpha Mae Allen in Rice Lake, Wisconsin. As the younger of two brothers, Bart grew up in small Cameron, Wisconsin, within a loving and devoted family of humble means, and enjoying the excitement and adventure of hunting, fishing, and nearby extended family.

WWII became close and personal when his older brother Jack, departed for the South Pacific; his family voluntarily placing their single vehicle up on blocks for four years as their support for the war. Bart graduated from Cameron High School a year early (1946), entering and leaving college after one semester stating “I had to get on in the working world”. That he did, pursuing his passion for patriotism, work, and contribution. Following a blind date in 1947 and a three-month engagement, Bart married the passion of his life, Mary Ancilla Vancura “Van”, of Fessenden, North Dakota. Together they embarked on a rich and fulfilling life together lasting 62 years, when Van passed away in 2011.

Bart joined the Navy, serving in the submarine corps on the USS “Sablefish” for three years, after which he enrolled in Superior State College, under an Air Force ROTC program. Six months before graduating, he received his commission as a 2nd Lt. and his first tour to Ellington AFB, Houston, TX. The Air Force sent Bart and Van back to Superior, where he finished college, and then after a few other tours, to Wright-Patterson AFB, Dayton, OH, for graduate school. A long and distinguished career as an Air Force officer also took Bart on tours to Mather AFB, Sacramento, CA; Malmstrom AFB, Great Falls, MT; Ent AFB and the United States Air Force Academy, Colorado Springs, CO; Maxwell AFB, AL; Iceland; Vietnam; and the Pentagon, where Bart retired as a full Colonel in 1974. Bart’s years in the Air Force started with navigation and air support, but quickly engaged him in data automation, where he was instrumental in developing early computer and data management processes and systems.

After “retirement”, Bart’s leadership, management, and data management strengths led him to the banking and aerospace industries for a few years. Following a life dream, and after their children were raised, Bart and Van spent the next several years living in the mountains of Colorado (Maysville and Gunnison) where Bart enjoyed being “retired” and teaching Business at Western State College, Gunnison. In 1991, Bart and Van officially retired to Grand Junction, CO, where both were involved in community service, including years of Hospice volunteer care.

Bart’s passions and interests were evident and simple. He and Van loved to travel, venturing to China, Greece, Spain, Canada, Alaska, Chile, and many places in between. Generous to the core, he loved people, meeting people, being a friend, and having friends. He engaged in life and with people from the very beginning to the very end. He enjoyed work, and worked to play, which included hunting, fishing, and loving, supporting, and watching his children, grandchildren, and ultimately many great-grandchildren. Underlying it all, Bart was a man of integrity, and most importantly a man of faith. Having grown up in the Lutheran Church and supporting Van in raising a devoted Catholic family, Bart knew that faith in Christ was the core, girded by his favorite scripture, Phil 4:6-7.

Bart died May 5, 2017, in Grand Junction, CO, survived by four children, their spouses, 14 grandchildren, and 24 great- grandchildren; they have all benefited from the rich heritage of faith and virtue passed on through Bart and Van.

Bart’s children are Chris (John) McGee of Grand Junction, Cathy (Bob) Funderburk of Grand Junction, Mike (Francie) Allen of Buena Vista, CO, and Jeff (Terry) Allen of Severance, CO.

And Dad, it turns out, that 100 years from today… it will matter! How in the hell – we don’t know, but nevertheless – That’s the way to go!

Many thanks and great appreciation for the kind and loving care at The Commons, Grandview Care Lodge, and HopeWest Hospice Care. Memorial donations can be made to HopeWest, 3090B N. 12th St. Grand Junction, CO 81506.

Full military honors will be held at 3:00 pm, Thursday, May 18, at Veterans Memorial Cemetery, 2830 Riverside Parkway, followed by a memorial service at 4:30 pm at Callahan-Edfast Mortuary & Crematory, 2515 Patterson Road, Grand Junction, CO.