Robert Leroy Allen

Robert L. Allen, age 79, of Waukegan, IL, went to heaven on March 29, 2025. Born in Columbus, Ohio, to Clara and Harry Allen on December 29, 1945, Bob's family moved to Southern California in the early 1950s. They lived in several places, but Bob always cherished his time in Glendora, CA, where the smell of orange blossoms was one of his fondest memories.

Bob attended California State University, Fullerton, where he studied history and architecture. He was passionate about World War II history and conspiracy theories, a lifelong interest that led him to collect books on these topics, often reading four at a time.

On March 3, 1973, Bob married the love of his life, Terri Jakimiak. They celebrated their 52nd wedding anniversary in 2025 and shared a home in Waukegan’s historic north district for 45 years. Bob poured his heart into renovating their older home, and his attention to detail can still be seen in every room.

A lover of the American West, Bob frequently said, “The West is the BEST!” His deep affection for the region and our Country led him and Terri on countless cross-country trips, where they explored ghost towns, abandoned mines, historical architecture, and collected antiques. Their adventures were carefully planned, and Bob always made sure to include scenic routes, highlighted in his road atlas Terri always dreaded what he was planning but she was always pleasantly surprised and delighted by those discoveries. A bag of apples was a staple on their journey to share with any hungry creatures they encountered along the way.

Bob was a gifted amateur photographer, capturing “perfect shots” during “Kodachrome time,” whether at sunrise or sunset. His photography was as much about capturing the moment as it was about the journey itself. Bob and Terri often enjoyed weekend getaways in Galena, IL, a charming Civil War town that held special memories for them.

One of Bob’s life’s greatest thrills was flying in two World War II bombers, fulfilling a bucket list dream. His love for history and aviation made this experience unforgettable.

Bob had a deep affection for animals, especially the backyard creatures that became his daily companions. He was always feeding birds, squirrels, and chipmunks, often holding out food for them to take directly from his hand. Bob also cared for many stray cats, providing shelter and even installing a cat door on the shed to keep them warm.

A nature lover, Bob had an uncanny ability to spot hawks in the sky during car rides, identifying each species as they passed.

Bob was also a devoted athlete in his earlier years, running in the second and third Chicago Marathons, along with countless 5K and 10K races. He was passionate about collecting guns and enjoyed spending time at the shooting range. A lover of classic cars, Bob had a particular fondness for Volkswagen Beetles. He restored a 1946 model and later ran a VW engine rebuilding business in the 1970s.

Bob retired from Volkswagen of America after many years of dedicated service. In addition, he had a passion for buying and selling ranch land in Colorado, a hobby that brought him much joy. Bob is survived by his loving wife, Terri; his sister, Nanciann Krukowski; his sister-in-law, Susan (Tom) Aloisio; his brothers-in-law, Paul Jakimiak and Mark (Kathy) Jakimiak; nieces and nephews, Michael, Gina, Justin, and Amanda; and great-nieces and great-nephews, Bekah, Bryce, Emma, Olivia, Greyson, and Landon.

He was preceded in death by his lifelong best friend, Joe Barille, who was the first to welcome him to heaven. Joe and his wife Patty were the only people who affectionately called him “Bobby”. Bob also leaves behind many dear friends, which was his greatest blessing. The family extends their heartfelt thanks to the Clausing’s, Aragons, and all the other friends and family who supported Bob during his final days.

Bob lived a life full of adventure, passion, and love, and his memory will forever remain in the hearts of those who knew him.

A visitation for Bob will be held at Marsh Funeral Home on Thursday, April 10 from 3-4pm and 5-7pm. From 4-5pm, a celebration of Bob's life will be held, led by Pastor Colin Cranmer from St. Mark's Lutheran Church. The service will be recorded and may be accessed in the following days by clicking this link: https://www.asimplestreaming.com/rlallen/

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to your favorite animal rescue/shelter, Midwest Veterans Closet in North Chicago or JourneyCare Hospice in Deerfield, IL.