Allen Wayne Penn

It is with deep sorrow that we announce the passing of Allen Wayne Penn, beloved husband of Anita Penn (nee Davis), in the early morning hours of February 14, 2025 in Chesapeake, VA. Allen was born on January 11, 1951 in San Diego, CA to Rosemary Penn (nee Runnels) of St. Louis, Missouri and Dr. Wilbur Pierce Hicks of Indianapolis, Indiana. He was adopted by Frank Penn as a small child when Rosemary and Frank were married. Allen accepted Christ as his savior as a young child at Greater Trinity Baptist Church. Allen grew up on Encina Drive in San Diego, CA and attended school in the San Diego Unified School district.

He attended Lincoln High School where he excelled in Math, Swimming and Wrestling, graduating in 1969. He would continue his wrestling career as a cadet at the United States Coast Guard Academy (USCGA) in New London, Connecticut. Not only did Allen coach wrestling at the high school level and at the Coast Guard Academy, he was also a member of the All Navy Team and competed at the World Team Trials in 1978.

Allen graduated from the USCGA in 1973 with a BS degree in General Engineering. Allen would go on to earn a MA degree in National Security and Strategic Studies from the United States Naval War College in Newport, Rhode Island in 1996.

After he graduated from the USCGA in 1973, Allen married his high school sweetheart, Helen Stewart, and from that union, daughters Tobi Alexisse and Teri Avrielle were born.

Allen was assigned to the CG Cutter Morgenthau out of New York as Assistant Engineering Officer and Damage Control Assistant after graduating from the Academy. Other Coast Guard Active and Reserve assignments included Admissions Officer at the Coast Guard Academy, Executive Officer at Reserve Group Baltimore, Training Officer at Reserve Group Hampton Roads, Senior Duty Officer at Coast Guard Headquarters Command Center and several tours in the Marine Safety, Environmental Protection and Maritime Security Programs as Project Officer for Offshore Activities at Coast Guard Headquarters and Senior Engineer Inspector in Seattle, Washington and Kobe, Japan.

His military awards, among others, include Coast Guard Commendation Medal, Meritorious Unit Commendation Ribbon, Special Operations Service Ribbon with 2 Bronze Stars, National Defense Service Medal with Bronze Star and Coast Guard Bicentennial Unit Commendation Ribbon.

After retiring from the Service, Allen continued his career as a civilian at Coast Guard Headquarters as a Mechanical and Safety engineer in the Office of the Assistant Commandant for Marine Safety and Environmental Protection.

He met the love of his life, Anita Davis, in 1996 after they were introduced by a mutual friend. They would both agree that they were not expecting to fall for each other, but God had other plans. They started dating a year after meeting and eventually wed in Chesapeake, Virginia in June 1998. Allen lived in New Carrollton, Maryland 4 days a week and in Chesapeake, Virginia the other 3 days a week until he retired from the federal government in 2007 and he was able to live with his wife, fulltime in Chesapeake, Virginia.

After retiring from government service, Allen started his own company, Quotient Consultants, LLC and was a Consultant Surveyor for the Cayman Island Shipping Register and a Sub-Contractor to Egan Engineering Support Services and Battelle Memorial Institute.

Allen is survived by his wife of 26 years, Anita, and by his 2 daughters Tobi (George Pratt III) of Bladensburg, Maryland and Dr. Teri Penn (Larry Martin) of Catonsville, Maryland. He is also survived by a grandson, George Pratt IV. Allen lovingly filled the role of surrogate grandfather to Ava Dukhie, whom he helped raise. In addition to this, he is survived by siblings Janet Penn of San Diego, CA, Michael Penn (Dora) of Rialto, CA, and Sheryl Penn of Spring Valley, CA. His brother, Gerald Penn, preceded him in death. Later in life, he discovered a sister, Danielle Banyon (Timothy) of Indianapolis, IN, through a genealogy website. Allen was a devoted uncle and great-uncle to a host of nieces and nephews. He will be greatly missed by a host of cousins, other family members, colleagues and friends.

Allen is fondly remembered for his gregarious spirit and friendly way of engaging with people, his elephantine memory and his love of good food. He also loved R&B and Soul music, particularly vocalists Phyllis Hyman and Lisa Fischer. Allen had a deep, lifelong love of learning and would not hesitate to share his extensive knowledge of his latest obsession with anyone who would engage. He also had a way of making friends with anyone, from the workers at the local Costco to the servers and hosts at his favorite diners. As many who knew him can attest, Allen had the best bear hugs, an infectious laugh and a mischievous sense of humor.

Allen was dedicated to connecting the Coast Guard alumni network and was very involved with various initiatives to advance diversity efforts for the academy. He served as a mentor to many, shaping the careers of young people was his calling and one he took very seriously.

A celebration of life in Allen’s honor will be April 11, 2025 at 11:00 a.m. at Rosewood Kellum Funeral Home, 601 N. Witchduck Rd., Virginia Beach, VA 23462. Memorial donations can be made to the US Coast Guard Academy Alumni Association, www.cgaalumni.org/eclipse-legacy