Robert Bruce Allen

It is with great sadness that we announce the passing of Robert Bruce Allen in Carmel, Indiana, on December 14, 2025. He was preceded in death by his parents, Robert and Barbara (Boswell) Allen, and by his wife of 46 years, Nancy Gillespie. He is survived by his three daughters, Liz (Pearce), Ginger (Edwards), and Cate (Collins), and by his six grandchildren—Lila, Stevie, James, Sean, Maeve, and Quinn—who brought him great joy.

Bruce was born in 1951 and raised in the Washington, D.C. area. He graduated from Albert Einstein High School in Kensington, Maryland; the friendships he made there lasted a lifetime. He attended Dickinson College, the University of Maryland, and Washington University, where he earned his bachelor’s degree, followed by a master’s degree in economics from Michigan State University. Bruce and Nancy were married in 1975. Liz was born in 1977, Ginger in 1980, and Cate in 1984.

Bruce had a varied career spanning many roles. His early years were spent in marketing at the Wholesale Club, and he dabbled in the construction industry, life insurance sales and financial planning. He took a gamble on opening a bakery, which, although not viable long-term, did bring him great joy while he was in the thick of it. More than any single professional role, however, he will be remembered for his gift for storytelling, his sharp wit, and his exceptional writing. These talents found many outlets, from letters to the editor and the occasional customer complaints to a long-term stint writing for MotoGP.com, which sent him to Spain and Malaysia to cover races. He took the work seriously, and his editors knew they had found the real deal.

Bruce’s love language was acts of service. He devoted five years to caring for Nancy as she underwent treatment for pancreatic cancer, and together they continued to live life fully, traveling to Arizona, Mackinac Island, New York, Seattle, and making frequent trips to the shore, a place that remained a shared haven throughout their lives. Nancy passed away in August 2021; shortly after, Bruce was also diagnosed with pancreatic cancer.

Despite his health challenges, Bruce remained committed to enjoying his golden years and giving back. He poured his love of baking into regular food donations to the Merciful Help Center, giving many people in need the pleasure of tasting his homemade bread, in which he took great pride. A gifted musician, he could play nearly anything he heard by ear on the piano and continued expanding his repertoire well into his final years. He enjoyed spending time and traveling with companion Jeanne Wade, who helped care for him as his illness progressed. He kept writing, cheered his grandsons on from the basketball sidelines, and filled rooms with stories and quick wit until the very end. Bruce will be remembered for his intelligence, humor, and devotion to family and will be deeply missed by all who knew him.