ALLEN, Richard Michael David At age 79 passed into the presence of his Lord with his family in attendance on May 15, 2019 at the Royal Jubilee Hospital. Richard is predeceased by his parents, Harry Ben Richard Allen, and Doris Anna Allen. He is survived by his beloved wife of 39 years, Bronwen Adele Allen; daughter, Eva Catherine; and grandchildren Benjamin, Isaiah, and Olivia. A celebration of Life will be held at First Memorial Funeral Services, on May 24, 2019 at 2pm. The address is 1155 Fort St, Victoria, BC. A donation in Richard's memory may be made to the Kidney Foundation, or Renal Unit, Royal Jubilee Hospital.
Richard was born to Anna and Harry Allen in London, England during the first week of World War 2. Harry, his father, joined the RAF and Anna was left with her baby son in London for his first year. She adored her little blue-eyed baby boy. Anna well remembered her wartime experiences of running to the bomb shelters with him. Amazingly, Richard himself, at his tender age, remembered with clarity being carried by the Home Guard to a shelter as his home was being bombed.
When Richard was 2 years old, Anna was employed as a secretary in the medical offices set up in a mansion of the local Lord & Lady in Wolverhampton. She took her son with her into the interior of England where many young women and their children were relocated for safety. Some of Richard’s fondest memories were of his childhood with the Lord and Lady, who were extremely kind and caring of him. Anna and Richard remained there for the rest of the war, returning to London, to be reunited with Harry, when the war ended.
Richard and his parents continued to live in London where he did his grammar schooling. He was an excellent student! Then, in 1952, Harry brought his family to Winnipeg, Manitoba, where he had been hired as General Manager of the Manitoba Club. He had gained his experience in the Air Force where he had been chef in the officers mess as his eyesight was too bad for him to fly, but his cooking skills were terrific!
Richard attended school in Winnipeg and then went to St Paul’s College at the University of Manitoba, where he earned his Bachelor’s Degree in Science majoring in Microbiology. During his university days, Richard worked as a lifeguard and then as a surveyor for the City of Winnipeg.
Richard’s parents were so proud of their son and encouraged him in his studies. He was an only child and very close to his parents. This relationship continued into his married life, as he loved visiting his family home, and having them come to his home.
Richard also had a love for the military and, during his university days, he joined the Army Reserve. For 4 years he served as Lieutenant in the Signals Corps.
After his graduation, Richard married Diane, (Eva’s mother) and began his professional life as a Chemist at Ogilvie Flour Mills in Winnipeg. Within his first 2 years, he was promoted to the head office in Montreal. Then, 2 years later, he was hired by Labatt
Breweries in London, Ontario as a Research Scientist to do special research projects in animal nutrition.
In 1968, Richard decided to leave his profession, move out west and join his parents in business. They had purchased Brenta Lodge and Restaurant in Brentwood Bay as their retirement endeavor, and Richard spent a year helping them get settled.
During this time was the beginning of his love for British Columbia and the discovery of his Jewish heritage. Discovering he was Jewish was a pivotal event in Richard’s life, which then took on new meaning and purpose.
Richard was also noted for being a car addict. He owned 4 Porsches and belonged to the Porsche Club of America attending many car races and rallies in Ontario and Quebec. At one point, he said he was the happy owner of 25 cars over his years behind the wheel.
Then, in 1969, Richard had an opportunity to return for further studies in a branch of agricultural science at the University of Manitoba. When he completed this, he was hired by Cargill Grain Company as Chief Chemist and he settled into life in Winnipeg.
The next pivotal event in Richard’s life was the birth of his first and only child, Eva Catherine. Not only was he a proud and happy father, but as soon as he saw his baby daughter, he experienced an overwhelming love for her, unlike anything he had ever experienced before.
Sadly, after 2 years, Richard was separated from his family, and he took on another professional adventure with Cargill in Minneapolis, Minnesota. This ended up being a very sad time for Richard as he then became estranged from his close family. It was during this low point in his life that he came to Faith in Jesus Christ and found not only new strength but renewed direction and purpose for his life. This was also a pivotal event in his life, and for Richard personally, the most important.
Richard returned once more to Victoria, British Columbia where, in 1979, he found his lovely Bronwen, with whom he spent 39 wonderful years in a beautiful marriage and a God-centered life. Together they forged a life dedicated to serving their LORD and Saviour, Jesus Christ.
Richard excelled in every profession he put his hand to, from agribusiness to animal livestock nutrition to computer consultant for the Apple Macintosh Computer. All of his computer consulting and training was done pro bono - he charged nothing for his services, but was instead paid on a donation basis, and that only as his clients were able. This he did until the onset of Renal Failure in 2004.
During his 15 long years of dialysis, be battled many difficult health issues, and triumphed over all, with his Faith in God, and with the unwavering support and loving care from his wife, Bronwen, and all the Renal Doctors, nurses, dietitians and technicians.
His inner strength he possessed for each episode, was always Divine from the LORD, never natural. At the end of the day, he could truthfully say, like the Apostle Paul in 2 Timothy 4:7-8
“I have fought a good fight, I have finished my course, I have kept the faith:
Henceforth there is laid up for me a crown of righteousness which the Lord, the righteous judge, shall give me at that day: and not to me only, but unto all them also that love his appearing.”
During Richard’s last days, his daughter, Eva, was privileged to be with him, to learn more about her father and to share in his peaceful passing. This was a true blessing for her, and a happy ending she will never forget.
At this time, we, Richard’s family, pay special tribute to all the wonderful Renal staff, & thank them with all our heart, for standing by him in his hour of need. This thank you also extends to the 8 North East staff who cared for him so lovingly during his last days on this earth.
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