Allen Gene Rohner

Allen Gene Rohner was born on October 27, 1947, in Minneapolis, Minnesota, to Eugene Arthur and Eileen Regina Rohner. A portion of his early childhood would be spent overseas, as his father’s military career would take the Rohner family to various countries - Japan, England, and Germany, residing in both Virginia and Missouri before finally settling in Washington State. Allen’s teen years were spent living on the shores of Long Lake in Olympia with his parents and four siblings. There he discovered boating, becoming an excellent swimmer and water-skier in the process, his talents providing him employment as a lifeguard in the summers. He graduated from North Thurston High School in 1966 and completed his Associate of Arts at Skagit Valley College before transferring to Central Washington University, where he earned a Bachelor of Arts in 1971. Living abroad at such a young age created a lifelong interest in travelling and he consequently chose a career that would allow him the opportunity to see the rest of the world. He began his career at Boeing in 1972, working in Aerodynamic Engineering before returning to academia in his forties, achieving a Master of Business Administration from City University in 1992. After 35 years of employment, he retired in 2007 as the Regional Director of Marketing in Commercial Airplanes. Allen was a remarkable man of many creative talents and ambitions, having once owned a stained-glass studio and business. He had a skill for woodworking and was a meticulous carpenter, spending many years remodeling his home to better enjoy the beautiful views of Possession Sound. He was always available to help family members in various home improvement projects. Allen had a vast appreciation of cars, owning many ‘prized’ vehicles over the years and regularly attended classic auto shows throughout the PNW. His love of boating endured, as he enjoyed waterskiing and cruising around on local lakes and fishing with his father on the Puget Sound. A passion for art encompassed his life - whether it was by collecting various pieces throughout the world, to the architecture in the beautiful houses he designed and built. His favorite city was Paris, and he professed to have spent at least ten full days in the Louve, marveling at all the works inside. Live music was an integral part of Allen’s life. He enjoyed dancing, was a regular patron at the Madison Avenue Pub, and looked forward to attending the Ebey Island Freedom Fest every Labor Day Weekend. Allen took the role of being a dad seriously and was an incredibly dependable and protective father, always offering sage advice and providing unwavering support. Family was a top priority, and he especially enjoyed gathering with loved ones for special occasions. Allen was non-judgmental and free of any form of bias, accepting people for who they truly are. He had a sweet, sensitive side, and loved his friends and family unconditionally. Allen was preceded in death by his parents, sister Cheryl, and his sister-in-law Lynn. He is survived by his daughter Julie, brother John, sisters Bonny Burgin (Terry) and Marie Hurst, as well as numerous nieces and nephews. He died peacefully in his sleep at his Everett residence of over 32 years, on August 12th, 2024. His departure comes as a great shock and a deep wound, and it is gravely felt by his entire family and countless others who loved him deeply in his wide network of community.

A Celebration Of Life service will be held at Floral Hills Chapel, 409 Filbert Road in Lynnwood, WA on Saturday, October 26, 2024, at 2:00pm. All are welcome to attend.