Obituary of Hugh K. Allen

Hugh K. Allen, 78, husband of Patricia (Michaud) Allen, died Tuesday, October 24, 2017 in the Southeastern Veterans Center, Spring City, PA of complications from Parkinson’s Disease.

He has donated his brain to the Udall Institute of Research for Parkinson’s Disease and his remaining body to science and instruction at the University of Pennsylvania Medical Schools.

He was born in Washington, DC on January 4, 1939, as the only child to the late Mac Kendall and the late Helen (Hedetniemi) Allen.   A graduate of Wheaton High School, Silver Spring, MD,  Hugh attended Bucknell University and the University of Maryland.  He joined the Naval Reserves and spent 22 months in active duty including at the theatre of the Cuban Missile Crisis.

While serving on the USS Essex, in 1963, he met and married Patricia Michaud in Providence, Rhode Island.  They spent most of their married life in the Washington, D.C. and Norfolk, VA areas, raising their four children in Columbia, MD, and moving to Norfolk, VA  for 22 years of work then retirement.

During the last years of Hugh’s illness, they moved to Chester County, PA  to be closer to family.

Hugh started his career in Construction Management at the George Hyman Construction Company (now known as Clark Construction) in Washington, DC.  He also worked for Williams Enterprises (Steel Erection) as field contractor and project manager in Washington, D.C. and Norfolk, VA.

Hugh was an avid tennis player, participated in league play, developing many friends. He was an  enthusiastic fan of  Redskins football, and welcomed baseball back to D. C. with the arrival of the Nationals.

He enjoyed gardening with a special fondness for propagating plants, such as azaleas. Hugh was also a real estate agent with a lifelong hobby of collecting real estate brochures from visiting "open houses".   His interet in photography resulted in a fine history of travels, places, events, and family times.

In retirement, Hugh enjoyed traveling with his wife Pat, anticipating the arrival of each granchild, and time spent with their family.

In addition to his loving wife, Patricia Allen, Hugh leaves behind four children:  Laura Gies (husband, Walter) of Spring City, James Allen of Spring City, PA, Amy Thomas (husband, Michael) of Mill Valley, CA and Craig Allen (wife, Fatimah) of Arlington, VA; twelve grandchildren: Nicholas K. Allen, Michael A. Thomas, Marian A. Allen, John-Paul L. Gies, Hugh T. Gies, Zachary C. Thomas, Mary-Rita T. Gies, James W. Thomas, Leo G. Gies, Francis M. Gies, Ella C. Allen and Sara J.R. Gies.

Hugh was also close to his cousins, the Hedetniemi and  Allen relatives and their spouses and children. Those bonds were always important to him…

The family will  gather in celebration of Hugh’s life on Saturday, 28th, 2017, 10:30am to 11:00am, prior to the service, the Family will receive condolences at St. Joseph Roman Catholic Church, 3640 Schuylkill Rd. Spring City, PA 19475.

11:00am, Mass of Celebration at the church.

(On or about) January 4th, 2018,  A  graveside service will be held at the Parklawn Park and Gardens Cemetery, Rockville, MD. - time to be determined.

In lieu of flowers, consider donations to the Parkinson’s Foundation (Parkinson.org) or to Washington Tennis Education Foundation (WTEF.org)