Allen Edward Flower passed away peacefully on February 10th, 2024 in Columbus, Ohio surrounded by loved ones. He leaves behind a legacy of love and will be missed by all who were lucky enough to know him.
Allen was born in Boston, Massachusetts on November 12th, 1943 to Stanley Flower and Eleanor Flower. He was the middle child in his family, with an older sister, Jeanette, and younger brother, Fred. After spending the first few years of his life in New England, the Flower family moved to Staten Island, New York in the mid 1940’s for Stanley Flower’s job at the New York Department of Agriculture. While living in New York, Allen developed his lifelong passion for boats, as a crew member of a fishing charter.
Before Allen’s Sophomore year in high school, the Flower family moved to Adelphi, Maryland in July of 1959, as Stanley Flower was hired by the U.S. Department of Agriculture. Allen graduated from High Point High School in 1962 and went on to the University of Maryland (“UMD”) for his undergraduate studies in finance. While at UMD, Allen was active in the Sigma Chi fraternity, eventually becoming Treasurer.
It was during his tenure at UMD that Allen met the love of his life, Elizabeth Smith, who was also attending the University. Allen and Elizabeth were married on August 2nd, 1969 at the University of Maryland Chapel (married for 54 years before his passing). Shortly after their wedding, Allen spent some time with the United States Army, before beginning his professional career at Comsat. In his early years at Comsat, Allen obtained his MBA from George Washington University.
During the mid 1970’s, Allen and Elizabeth bought their first boat, a Paceship 23. In the proceeding years, they would spend most of their free time sailing with friends, often including his brother Fred, and Fred’s wife, Jan. Allen became an active member of the Chesapeake Bristol Club during this time, and this is also when Allen and Elizabeth fell in love with Maine, often sailing there in the summer months. In 1977, Allen and Elizabeth ordered a Bristol 29.9 at the Annapolis Boat Show and named her Anemone (a boat they still own to this day).
On September 27th, 1979, Allen and Elizabeth welcomed their son, Wesley Allen Flower. A few years later, on August 15th, 1984, they welcomed their daughter, Georgina Ruth Flower. During Wesley and Georgina’s early years, Allen and Elizabeth continued to sail frequently with the babies in tow. As the years went on, they would spend more of their family free time vacationing in Maine. Allen was incredibly focused on Elizabeth and the children, always attending Wesley’s golf and basketball events, and Georgina’s ballet performances.
In 1996, after dedicating his entire professional career to Comsat, Allen was promoted to the executive team, as Chief Financial Officer. During his significant tenure in this role, Allen oversaw two critical events for the Company. First, in 1997 he led the financial spinoff of Ascent Entertainment Group (“Ascent”). Ascent was a non-core business to the main satellite communications company. Ascent owned both the Colorado Avalanche and the Denver Nuggets, in addition to several entertainment and media companies. In 1998, after successfully overseeing the spinoff of Ascent, Allen and Comsat began what would become a 2-year long merger process with Lockheed Martin. The merger was completed in 2000, and Allen retired shortly thereafter, while remaining active on the Board of Trustees, as well as the Board of several other companies.
Allen primarily spent his retired life doing what he loved most, being with family. In addition to that, he continued his passion for boating, was an avid reader, mastered wood-working, developed a love of F1 racing, and spent several months a year at the Flower home in Maine with Elizabeth. During the 2000s, Allen and Elizabeth also devoted much of their time to caring for Clarence and Betty Smith, Elizabeth’s parents.
Allen Edward Flower lived a profound and exemplary life. He was a man of immense humility, integrity, loyalty, selflessness, and intelligence. His presence will be missed, but he will forever be a part of our lives. Allen is survived by his wife, Elizabeth Flower, his children Wesley and Georgina, his siblings Jeanette and Fred, and his grandchildren, August, Dean, Smith, Benjamin, Eleanor, and Welles. Elizabeth Flower currently resides in Columbus, Ohio. Jeanette Mason lives in Dayton, Ohio. Fred Flower and his wife Jan live in Annapolis, Maryland. Wesley Flower and his wife Kim, along with children, Benjamin and Eleanor, live in Round Rock, Texas. Georgina Flower and her husband Brendan Healy, along with children, August, Dean, Smith, and Welles, live in Columbus, Ohio. A celebration of Allen’s life will be held at Joseph Gawler’s Sons funeral home on Saturday, February 17th, at 3:00 PM.
In lieu of Flowers, the family has requested that remembrances be made in the form of contributions to either of the below organizations: The Barker Foundation: https://www.barkeradoptionfoundation.org or
LifeFlight of Maine: https://lifeflightmaine.org.
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