Ronald Alfred Allen, retired administrator
Ronald Alfred Allen, 80, of Rehoboth Beach passed peacefully at home Tuesday, Feb. 2, 2021, surrounded by family. Ron was born April 8, 1940, in Ellicott City, Md., to Alfred and Anne (Sloan) Allen.
Ron graduated from the University of Baltimore with his bachelor’s degree in accounting in 1967. He was the first person in his family to earn a college degree. Ron was especially proud that he had put himself through college by working full time at various locations of Flag Brothers Shoe Stores, and by lending his musical talent to the rollicking horn section of a rock ‘n' roll band, The Rhythm Rockers.
Ron served in the Maryland National Guard and the U.S. Army Reserves. During his National Guard service, the Jessup (Md.) Correctional Institution experienced a prison break, and Ron’s unit was called out to aid in apprehending escaped inmates. Throughout his life, Ron’s eyes would twinkle with laughter as he entertained many with how he single-handedly nabbed one of the prisoners.
In the summer of 1961, on the Ocean City boardwalk, Ron met the love of his life, Susan Goodwin. They married Aug. 21, 1965, and had “many wonderful adventures.” Together, Ron and Sue built a home in Newark so unique that it was featured in the September 1983 issue of Delaware Today. Of particular delight for Ron was that he designed the home with an actual moat. The couple traveled extensively, hosted neighborhood hog roasts, enjoyed camping in Cape Henlopen State Park, played innumerable rounds of golf, and trained dogs for obedience shows, earning 13 points toward Champion status with their Irish Setter Kelly. In 1994, Ron and Sue became members of Kings Creek Country Club in Rehoboth, where Sue is still a member today.
Throughout his career, Ron worked in nonprofit and organizational management. His stops included a time as the director of finance and administration for the International Reading Association in Newark, executive director of the Association of School Business Officials in Reston, Va., and as vice president of the American Advertising Federation in Alexandria, Va. After retiring to Rehoboth, Ron administrated the Rehoboth Bay Sailing Association.
In addition to enjoying his work and golf, Ron was an avid sports fan. On any autumn weekend, Ron could be found cheering Baltimore Colts, and later the Baltimore Ravens, and his beloved UD Blue Hens. With his wife Sue, Ron was a UD football season-ticket holder for decades, and Ron was a masterful tailgater - arriving on game day early and staying late. Ron loved a good party. He was also an extraordinary gardener, and he took great pride in both the uniformity of his emerald-green, carpet like lawns, as well as the kaleidoscope of colorful flowers he planted to enhance his homes.
Preceding him in death were his parents, and his sister, Frankie Allen Pardoe. He will be missed by his wife of 55 years, Susan Goodwin Allen of Rehoboth Beach; his two children: Warren Scott (Angela “CK”) Allen of Oakton, Va., and Kari Allen (John “JD”) Dixon of Vienna, Va.; grandchildren: Kayla Dixon, Derek Dixon, Maclaren Johnson, Yeardley Allen and Campbell Allen; sisters: Charlotte McEwen of Kent Narrows, Md., and Deborah Ehrhardt of Merritt Island, Fla.; brothers-in-law: Peter Goodwin of Bath, Maine, and Tom Pardoe of Woodbine, Md.; and numerous cousins, nieces and nephews.
Everyone who knew him will remember Ron’s tireless work ethic, enthusiastic love for fun, infectious laugh, and glittering blue eyes.
Services will be private. Arrangements have been entrusted to Parsell Funeral Homes & Crematorium, Atkins-Lodge Chapel, Lewes.
In lieu of flowers, gifts may be directed to the University of Delaware Athletic Fund at 302-831-2104 or 83 E. Main St., 3rd Floor, Newark, DE 19716.
Please visit Ron’s Life Memorial Webpage and sign his virtual guestbook at www.parsellfuneralhomes.com.
