Gale Wilson Allen

Gale W. Allen (1923-2015) Gale W. Allen of McLean, VA passed away peacefully on Monday, January 5, 2015 at the assisted living facility in Oakton where he has resided for the past three years. He was 91 and died of natural causes. Mr. Allen was born in Hines, MN and was raised primarily in Blackduck in northern Minnesota, graduating from Blackduck High School in 1939. He began his studies at Macalester College in St. Paul, Minnesota the fall following high school graduation. His education at Macalester College was interrupted when he volunteered and joined the Navy to serve in World War II. He attended Officer’s Training School in St. Peter, MN and was ultimately assigned to the USS Guam where he served as a Lieutenant (jg). Following three years of decorated service he returned to Macalester College to finish his under-graduate degree in History, from which he graduated in 1947. He then moved to Washington D.C. to attend the School of Advanced International Studies where he was trained for a career in international relations. Upon graduation he was recruited by the Central Intelligence Agency where he had a successful 32-year career as an analyst. While in Washington D.C., Mr. Allen met, fell in love with and married his wife of 53 years, Anne Plowman Allen. The 1949 newlyweds settled in northern Virginia where they raised a family including their three children. Retiring from the CIA in 1980, Mr. Allen began his second career as a wildfowl art and stamp dealer that included a national clientele. He and Mrs. Allen frequented a number of the Wildfowl Art Shows during the 80s and 90s, including the Easton (MD) Waterfowl Festival and Southeastern Wildlife Exposition in Charleston, SC. Mr. Allen also was a master bridge player and with his partner in the 50s won many regional tournaments in the Washington DC area. For many years he sang in church choirs, primarily at Trinity Presbyterian Church in Arlington, VA and Lewinsville Presbyterian Church in McLean, VA. Mrs. Allen passed away in 2002. Mr. Allen is survived by brother-in -law; Leonard Anderson of Blackduck, MN; by sister; Louise Kocina of Modesto, CA; by sister-in-law; Barbara Merkel of Round Rock, TX; by three children; Russell P. Allen of Norfolk, VA; Elaine Colliver of Glen Mills, PA, and Thomas G. Allen of Herndon, VA; by son-in-law, Forrest Colliver of Glen Mills, PA; and by five grandchildren; Justin A. Ayars of Richmond, VA, Evan M. Ayars of Fairfax, VA, Thomas W. Allen of Herndon, VA; Margaret B. Allen of Herndon, VA, and Michele E. Colliver of Glen Mills, PA. There will be a viewing on Tuesday, January 13, 2015 from 2 p.m. to 4 p.m. at Murphy Funeral Home, 4510 Wilson Blvd., Arlington, VA 22203. A Memorial Service will be held later that day at 6:30 p.m. at Trinity Methodist Church, 1205 Dolley Madison Blvd., McLean, VA 22101. Burial will be on Wednesday, January 14, 2015 at 11 a.m. at Columbia Gardens Cemetery, 3411 Arlington Blvd., Arlington, VA 22201.