Robert C. Allen

Bob passed away peacefully on January 6, 2023 at a hospice home in Kansas City surrounded by his family. Bob was born on July 24, 1932 in Cambridge, OH, and spent his youth living and studying in Brazil, Chile, Peru, and Argentina while his father served as a mining engineer at locations throughout South America. He moved to the US in 1947 for high school, then attended the University of ND for a couple years before enrolling at the U.S. Military Academy in 1953. He graduated from West Point as a 2nd Lieutenant in 1957.

Bob was a consummate military officer, and spent 28 years in the Army. He served two tours of duty in Vietnam (1966-67 and 1970-71), had two multi-year postings in Germany, as well as postings at bases in Maryland, California, and finally Fort Leavenworth, KS. Following his retirement from the Army as a Lt. Colonel in 1985, Bob pivoted to the world of financial planning, where he conscientiously advised numerous clients as a planner with Waddell & Reed until his retirement in 2009.

Bob’s greatest joys were reading about sports, politics, and international affairs; watching sports of any kind on tv; following a wide variety of teams, including the NY Yankees, Sporting KC, KU basketball, and Santos (Brazil) and Boca Juniors (Argentina) futbol clubs; citing obscure sports statistics dating back to the 1940s; and reminiscing with old West Point classmates. He was a talented athlete, running and bicycle touring with friends well into his mid-80s, and had a tremendous soft spot for creatures of any kind, especially dogs.

Bob is survived by his wife of 61 years, Sue Allen; son Kevin Allen (Annie) of Soquel, CA; daughter Katrina Kennedy (Daniel) of St. Paul, MN; and five grandchildren, Erin, Otis, Raylene, Liam, and Joey. He is also survived by his sister Elaine Peterson of San Jose, CA and sister Gloria Allen de Zamorano of San Vicente, Chile. He is preceded in death by his parents, Joseph and Clara Allen, and step-mother Maria Allen.

Interment with full honors will take place at Fort Snelling National Cemetery in Minneapolis, MN in the spring.