Born in Vancouver, B.C. Passed away at his home in Berwick Royal Oak Retirement Center, Victoria, BC at 101 years young.
Allen grew up hiking and skiing the West Coast Mountains near Vancouver. He enlisted for WW11 and became an RCAF pilot, along with his friend, Leonard Allman. He earned a medal for his weather reconnaissance plane predicting the weather for D Day. His friend was killed when shot down.
After the war, Allen married his friend’s sister, Laura Milne, in Toronto. Earning top honours in Physics at McGill University, Allen and his young family of Laura and two children moved to Victoria, BC for a career with the Defense Research Establishment of the Pacific and became a leader in Arctic research. His 3rd child, Robert (Robbie) Milne was born. Upon early retirement, Allen worked form 1974-1979 at the Institute of Ocean Sciences. 1979-80, Allen and Laura moved to Monterey, California, where he was a visiting professor at the Naval Postgraduate School. Then back to Victoria to contract environmental studies for Dome/Esso/Gulf Oil interest in the Canadian Arctic. Lastly, between 1984-86, for the West Coast Environmental Panel.
Allen and Laurie were world travelers, enjoying hiking, skiing, adventuring, learning about different parts of the world, such as New Zealand, Indian, Europe, and North America.
Community volunteering played a large part in their lives. Allen was a scout leader, church president, sketch club president and much more. Laura died in 2013 while living a Kiwanis Residential Care Center, after most of a decade suffering from Dementia. Allen carried on for a number of years in the Saanich townhouse, Quail’s Run, before moving a few blocks over to the Berwick Royal Oak retirement building. He happily spent his last 15 years at Berwick.
Thanks so much to all the staff, and to his special caregivers. You know who you are. Also much thanks to his physician, Dr. Gilbert Chew, for his decades providing kind and knowledgeable care of Allen and Laura, and then of Allen.
Besides being a top scientist, Allen was a wonderful artist, an athletic person who scuba dove, skied until his late 80’s, wrote many scientific articles, wrote his own history and that of Unitarians in Canada.
One of his watercolours of an Icebreaker in Arctic ice, is currently hanging in Government House, with the Sketch Club’s display.
I will not name all his accomplishments.
To his family he will always be remembered as a wonderful father, husband, grandparent and great grandparent.
PREDECEASED BY: Parents, Archie Milne 1895-1981 and Gertrude Milne 189-1988. His loving wife, Laura, 1924-2013. Youngest son, Robert Wesley Milne and Allen’s younger siblings, Greta Young and Wesley Milne. As well as, dear friend, Melrose Moilliet.
SURVIVED BY: Daughter, Anne Harrison (Rick) of Duncan, BC, son Allen Milne Jr. of Vernon, BC. Grandchildren, Wendy Brass and Daimien Boughen (Barbara), Kalyne McIvor (Andrew) and step grandchildren, Michelle Harrison (Patrick) and Jenna Harrison (Cam). 17 great grandchildren and step grandchildren, as well as 2 great great step grandchildren. Mourned by relatives, friends and all whom Allen touched with his presence, work and adventures. Special mention to dear Ruth Ralston.
A Celebration of Life will be held at the Victoria Unitarian Church on May 6th, 2023 at 2 pm.
Officiated by Reverend Shana Lynngood.
SHARE OBITUARY
v.1.11.0