Richard James Allen

Richard James Allen, 69, passed away on February 18, 2026, from complications of AML. He was born in Great Falls, Montana to James and Audrey Allen, and as an Air Force brat, Richard grew up there and in Texas, Illinois, and Minnesota. As the eldest of four children, three of them boys, he led his siblings into many an escapade and they thankfully all survived and thrived, until now.

Richard graduated from Rosemount High School in Minneapolis and attended Minnesota State University at Mankato. He worked in a variety of office positions at law firms and international institutions in Washington D.C., and after moving to Seattle, studied Culinary Arts at Seattle Central College. He enjoyed cooking for work and for his lucky friends and family, who appreciated his food and his dry wit.

Richard loved history (especially military history) and music and sailing, as well as camping and fishing in the great outdoors. He played a lot of tennis and rode his motorcycle across the country in younger years. He was a long term Commanders (Redskins) and Washington Capitals fan, and during his time in Seattle became a Mariners fan too. He and his wife lived in Washington D.C., Seattle, Miami and ultimately Silver Spring, Maryland, with an assortment of beloved cats. They enjoyed plays, movies and travel together, and counted Barcelona, Buenos Aires, England, Siena, Normandy, Austin and Boulder as some of their favorite destinations.

Richard was predeceased by his father, Jim Allen, and is survived by his wife Maura Faughnan Allen, and by his mother, Audrey. He will be sorely missed by his adored siblings Bradley Allen, Jeffrey Allen, and Lorraine Lewis and their spouses and his dear nieces and nephews. He was also much loved by the extended Faughnan family, including Cecilia and Amy Nevitt and Patricia Parmenter.

Richard’s life will be celebrated March 3-4 at Hines-Rinaldi Funeral Home in Silver Spring, and at a Mass of Christian Burial at the Shrine of the Most Blessed Sacrament in Washington, D.C. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Humane Rescue Alliance (www.humanerescuealliance.org), where he volunteered.