Charles W. Allmon

Charles W. (“Chuck”) Allmon, an adventurer, photographer, entrepreneur and leader in the investment world, died peacefully at home in Kihei, Hawaii on October 17, 2015, age 94. He was surrounded by loving family as he embarked on his final adventure of discovery, to heaven. Chuck loved and savored life and lived it with tireless enthusiasm and optimism, traveling to over 60 countries on 5 continents and fulfilling his aspirations in three different careers. Throughout his life and travels, Chuck had an eye and passion for beauty and magnificent places, capturing many of them in his photographs for over 70 years. Particular favorites included Tahiti, Maui, Vermont and Montana. National Geographic articles on such places as Liberia, Rio de Janero, Bermuda, the Marquesas Islands, Trinidad & Tobago, Australia, Martinique and Barbados feature his photography.Chuck was born February 9, 1921 in East Liverpool, Ohio to Elmer Floyd Allmon and Josephine Tate Allmon. After graduation from Beaver High School in Beaver, PA, and Purdue University, (B.S., Agriculture 1941, Honorary Doctorate, 1994), he took a job with the United Fruit Company, raising bananas in Honduras. During WWII he worked for Firestone Rubber Company in Liberia, producing much-needed rubber for the Allied war effort. It was there that he taught himself the art of photography, using a camera given to him by his mother. Following his freelance career in filmmaking (Polynesia), photography and lecturing, he joined the staff of the National Geographic as an Illustrations Editor. While on assignment covering the island of Barbados in 1951, Chuck met and eventually married the love of his life, Gwen Drayton Allmon, “the best thing that ever happened to me!” They were a remarkable team for 61 years of marriage, raising 2 daughters, collaborating on articles for the National Geographic, traveling, and then launching their own business, Growth Stock Outlook (GSO), of which Chuck was founder and President from 1965 to 2011. During these 46 years, he wrote 5 different investment newsletters and later managed private portfolios for clients. He lectured at the Harvard and Wharton Business Schools, and the YaleBusiness Forum. He was awarded the "Distinguished Service Award" from the National Association of Investment Clubs for outstanding contributions to investment education. Featured in articles in Peter’ Brimelow’s Wall Street Gurus, the New York Times, Forbes, Barron’s, Money Magazine, the Wall Street Journal, Fortune and other publications across the country, he thrived on his interaction as a guest on television programs such as Wall Street Week, Nightly Business Report, CNN, CNBC, Good Morning America, Crossfire, and MacNeil Lehrer News Hour, and over 2,000 radio shows and investment programs throughout the U.S. Allmon was a voracious reader and energetic, lifelong learner, seeking understanding of global, economic and political issues. His breadth of knowledge informed his process for selecting investment opportunities, which also included looking carefully at the character of a company’s leaders, and grilling his teenage daughters and their friends about where they shopped and why. His closed-end fund, the Charles Allmon Trust (formerly Growth Stock Outlook Trust), was listed on the New York Stock Exchange, and gained in price on infamous "Black Monday," October 19, 1987, when the Dow dropped 22%. GSO’s managed accounts appreciated in 30 out of 32 years, including the 2000-2003 downturn. Market Watch’s Mark Hulbert wrote on October 27, 2015, “When Chuck discontinued his letter in 2008, he was tied for second place among Hulbert Financial Digest monitored services for risk-adjusted performance over the 28-year period.” Allmon headed a dedicated and talented staff at GSO, many of whom worked for him much of their careers, including the two principals of Hendershot Investments, the money-management firm to which he transferred his accounts upon retirement. In their recent newsletter, Hendershot Investments wrote of Chuck, “We are grateful for his long, full and abundant life, his endless enthusiasm, keen mind and tutelage. He will be deeply missed.” Expressing the sentiments of many, Nicholas Clinch, GSO Board of Directors member, world- class mountaineer, author, and former President of the American Alpine Club, described Allmon as “a wise mentor and pillar of strength” and “the epitome of competence and integrity.”Allmon was committed to giving back, supporting community causes, schools, the Mayo Clinic, and church. He served on the board of the Alexander Graham Bell Association for the Deaf and Hard of Hearing, and numerous other organizations. He was a member of the Explorers Club of Washington, D.C. Chuck always enjoyed meeting the widest range of people, from financial and political leaders to Montana ranchers and his grandchildren’s friends. He loved being with all generations of his growing family and could be counted on to play practical jokes, tell jaw-dropping adventure tales from his worldwide travels, discuss everything from Thomas Jefferson to what the their latest smartphones could do, and share his wisdom and love of God and country. Chuck’s unfailingly positive spirit and buoyant approach to life (“I always have a great day!”) continue to inspire us, as they always have. He is survived by: his beloved wife Gwen Drayton Allmon, daughters Kathleen Allmon Goodrich (George H. Goodrich, Jr.) of Bozeman, MT, and Jane Allmon Heath (Daniel D. Heath) of Washington, D.C.; Grandchildren – Gillian Goodrich Cleary (Peter), Chip (George H., IV) Goodrich (Staci Stephens); Jared C. D. Heath, Kenan J. D. Heath, Nathan M. B. Heath, Great grandson – Charles L. Goodrich; brother, Ross H. Allmon (Carla) and many extended family members. He was preceded in death by his parents, brother, William C. Allmon, and sister, Elizabeth Allmon Hull. Three Services of Witness to the Resurrection in gratitude for his life will be held: Hope Chapel, Maui, Hawaii on November 24, 2:00 pm; Little Sanctuary, St. Albans School, Washington D.C., on December 12, 11:30 am; and interment and service in Livingston, Montana on July 1, in the season when Chuck so loved Montana. Memorial donations may be made to: Hope Chapel Maui in Kihei, Hawaii, or Intermountain Children’s Home in Helena, Montana. “If I take the wings of the morning and dwell in the uttermost parts of the sea,Even there Your hand will lead me, and Your right hand will hold me fast.” - Psalm 139:9,10 Arrangements by Ballard Family Mortuary, (www.ballardfamilymortuaries.com) Kahului, Hawaii.