Richard Allen

Richard Fernley Allen, 71, beloved husband, father and grandfather, passed away peacefully surrounded by his family following a long battle with cancer. He was a warrior and faced his illnesses with optimism, determination and grace.

Richard was born in London, England, the son of Fernley F. E. Allen and Dorothy M. Maltzahn. He grew up in Sunningdale and London. He graduated from Charter House and spent a year in Paris playing jazz at Le Caveau de la Huchette. He received a Bachelor of Commerce honors degree from McGill University and an MBA from the Wharton School, University of Pennsylvania. Although he started his career with Alcan in Toronto, he spent the following 30 years as an investment banker in London, Toronto, Boston and New York with Hambros, Dillon Read, Credit Suisse First Boston and Wood Gundy Inc. He was president of the U.S. operations of Lancaster Financial, a private investment bank, and, after its acquisition by Toronto Dominion Bank, became managing director and head of the merger and acquisition group. He ended his career as a partner with Family Capital Growth partners, a private equity fund, in Greenwich. He was a founding member of the Penn Club in New York and a long time member of the Field Club.

Richard had a deep love of music including classical jazz and rock and roll, especially Jeff Lynne and Boston. He played several instruments including trombone, trumpet, cornet and drums. He learned to play golf at an early age and also loved tennis, paddle tennis and most recently pickleball. He loved the serenity at Tod’s Point and would often walk listening to his new found interest in navel historical fiction.

He was devoted to his two sons, Geoffrey and James (Molly). He was beloved by his wife, Tina, two step children, Lindsey Olson (Eric) and Ross Aron (Kristen), five step grandchildren – Drew and Owen Olson and Charlotte, Henry and Theodore Aron. He will be missed by his former wife and mother of his sons, Martha Williams, his former brother-in-law, Mark Williams (Victoria) and nephew, George Williams and many friends. He was predeceased by his parents and uncle.

We are grateful for the wonderful care he received at New York Presbyterian-Columbia and Greenwich Hospital from Doctors Naiyer Rizvi, Christopher Edelmann, M. Sung Lee, Ashwatha Narayana and Michael Liu. In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made in Richard’s memory to the Greenwich Hospital Foundation, 35 River Road, Suite 100, Cos Cob, CT 06807.