Robert (Bob) Curtis Allen, age 91, passed away January 24, 2021, in Boulder, Colorado. Born on August 18, 1929 in Wilkes-Barre, PA, was the son of Helen G. Trethaway and Stanley H. Allen. Bob had two older brothers, Bill and Bud, who convinced Bob that his birth caused the great depression.
Bob had fond childhood memories with his brothers of the family cottage on Harvey’s Lake. Bob was known for pulling pranks on the family, especially his brothers. His early school days were in Wilkes-Barre and following a move to New Jersey, attending Columbia High School in Maplewood, New Jersey. After graduation, he went to night school at Newark College of engineering for a period.
He decided to investigate joining the Navy but was sidetracked by a Marine recruiter. He enlisted in the Marines in 1948 and served 5 years during the Korean Conflict. While in the Marines, he was sent to the Great Lakes Naval Training Center where he received his introduction to electronics. He was stationed on the Aleutian Islands in surveillance. He pitched for the 17th Naval district baseball team and boxed for the 1st Marine division. After an honorable discharge from the Marines, he began a career with Bell Laboratories Research in 1953 located in Murray Hill, NJ.
He married Gail Elizabeth Parsons and adopted her daughter Eileen Wick in 1964. He was blessed with a second daughter, Pamela, in 1965. The family later moved to Chicago with AT&T and then to Boulder, CO where he led a team of engineers and software designers until his retirement in 1989.
In his retirement, Bob spent time with family, friends, his dogs and working on the house. He loved to play cards and take an occasional drive to Blackhawk for some poker. Bob and Gail would dance the night away to the sounds of the big bands at their favorite place at the Broadmoor.
Bob was known as the favorite uncle because of his sense of humor and ability to make people laugh. He was also known for fast convertible cars, his dancing skills, love of food, and an occasional Manhattan.
He is survived by his wife Gail, daughter Pam (Bill) Curran, grandchildren Alana Stauffer, Anna Curran, and Ian Curran, great grandchildren, Alexander Bunn, Brooke Knudsen, Chanelle and Zoe Arellano, and numerous nieces and nephews he adored. He was preceded in death by his parents, siblings, and daughter Eileen.
A memorial service will be held on March 6, 2021 beginning at 11 am. In lieu of flowers, please send donations in memory of Bob to the Humane Society of Boulder Valley, 2323 55th Street, Boulder, CO 80301 (https://www.boulderhumane.org/). Arrangements are being handled by Crist Mortuary in Boulder and Bob will be buried at Mountain View Memorial Park in Boulder. Those wishing to send condolences, may send to Crist Mortuary, 3395 Penrose Place, Boulder, CO 80301.
To access the service virtually, please use this link: https://youtu.be/7pU7anhu3lI. The broadcast will begin about 15 minutes prior to the service.
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