B. Allan, Robert

Robert B. Allan of 912 Savage Farm Drive passed away quietly at Kendal of Ithaca on Sunday, October 20, 2002 at the age of 82. His daughters Wendy and Robyn and son Michael were with him.

Born on April 17, 1920 in Montreal, Quebec, Canada, Robert was the son of John and Beatrice Bonner Allan.

Following high school graduation in 1939, Bob entered McGill University in Montreal. His studies were interrupted by four-years of service in the Canadian Army during WW II. He enlisted as a Private, attended officers training school, landed at Normandy with the British as a Liaison Officer and was discharged as a Lieutenant in 1945. In September he returned to McGill and completed his Bachelor of Commerce in 1947.

On August 21, 1948 after a wonderful courtship which began during the war, Bob married M. Evelyn Kerr of Fox River, Nova Scotia. Following a Bermuda honeymoon they returned to Montreal.

The ensuing seventeen years allowed Bob the opportunity to apply his studies in various positions with the Shawinigan Water and Power Company in Montreal. In 1965 he resigned from his position as Assistant Treasurer to welcomely accept an offer from New York State Electric & Gas in Ithaca, NY. For eleven years Bob embraced the challenges and rewards at NYSEG where he rose to the position of Vice-President. In 1971 he was elected to the Board of Directors of Tompkins County Trust Company. Quoted at the time Charlie Treman, President said "Mr. Allan is a welcome addition to our board. He comes to us with a wealth of experience in corporate finance and a full measure of personal integrity."

In 1976 he resigned from NYSEG to fulfill a life-long dream of owning and operating a small business. In that same year he purchased the Arnold Printing Corporation and enjoyed 10 years of successful entrepreneurship in the Ithaca community.

With a continuing interest to answer new challenges he created the Allmekan Corporation and purchased 1100 acres of woodland property in Lunnenberg, Vermont. He and his son Michael actively pursued a development plan over the next 10 years, but eventually chose to maintain the landscape in its natural state.

During the early 90's, Bob became very interested in the need for and development of the first Life Care Community in New York State--Kendal at Ithaca. His involvement included the filming of construction and shortly after moving to Kendal, in December 1995, he was elected the Resident Council's first President. His charge was simple…"It's not what you do, but how you do it", and when engaged in healthy discussion, his glass was always half full.

A long-time Board Member of the United Way of Tompkins County, Bob served as President in 1976 and as Campaign Chairman in 1985. In 1978 he accepted a two-year appointment to the City of Ithaca's Board of Public Works. Bob also served as Chairman of the Board of McGraw House, was a member of the Community Advisory Board of the Paleontological Research Institution and was an active participant in Rotary. He was a communicant of St. Johns Episcopal Church, and served on its Vestry and as Chairman of its Finance Committee. He was also supportive of the Boy Scouts of America.

Robert was preceded in death by his devoted and beloved wife of 31 years, M. Evelyn Kerr Allan on August 22, 1979. He is survived by a daughter, Wendy Allan Randolph and granddaughter, Kellea Evelyn Randolph both of Ithaca; a daughter, Robyn A. (Steven) Cloyes, granddaughter, Marley Cloyes and grandson, Mac Cloyes all of Stratton Mountain, VT; and a son, Michael J. (Nancy J.) Allan, two granddaughters, Anne-Marie Ozioli and Catherine M. Ozioli and two grandsons, Christopher Robert Allan and Jonathan Rawlins Allan all of New Canaan, CT.

A Memorial Service will be held in the DeWitt Clinton Auditorium at Kendal on Friday, October 25, 2002 at 3:00 pm with the Rev James Geuder presiding. A private family burial service will be held at a later date in Montreal.

Contributions in Robert's memory may be directed to Hospicare of Ithaca, 172 E. King Rd, Ithaca, New York 14850.

The family has entrusted arrangements to the Ness-Sibley Funeral Home, 23 South St, Trumansburg. Additional information may be obtained by calling the Funeral Home at (607) 387-8151.

Page Submitted By: Joseph L. Sibley, Director