Robert Dean Allen, 84, a great local historian and longtime resident of Washington Township, passed away, Thursday, Feb. 18, 2021 with his loving wife by his side. He was born Oct. 8, 1936, the son of Harold Russell and Clara Wilhilmina (Gasow) Allen, in Roseville. He married Carol Ann Arnold July 7, 1956, who preceded him in death in 2000. He married Cheryl Schendel on May 19, 2001 in Washington Township.
He graduated from Anchor Bay High School in 1955 and then attended Michigan Technological University where he received a bachelor’s degree in business administration. Bob worked as an Automotive Executive for TRW for 30 years.
Bob had a great affinity for Civil and Revolutionary War history. He and his wife traveled extensively to Civil War Battlefields around the United States, including Gettysburg, Fredericksburg and Chickamauga/Chattanooga. With all of the knowledge they gained researching at the State Archives and the Bentley Historical Library, they published three books on Civil War Soldiers, “A Guest of the Confederacy”, “Macomb County Civil War Footprints” and “My Four Years In The Ninth.”
Bob was a member of the Israel B. Richardson Civil War Roundtable, Civil War Trust, Greater Washington Area Historical Society, and the Friends of the Octagon House. He was awarded a Medal of Citation by the Scottish-American Military Society, Ltd., for outstanding service to the community; in 2007, he was also recognized by the Macomb County Board of Commissioners as Outstanding Volunteer for his contribution to preserving history in Macomb County; in 2010 he received a Certificate of Award from National Society of the Daughters of the Revolution for Excellence in Community Service; and in 2013, he received the Alexander Macomb History Award for 2012 from the Macomb County Heritage Alliance.
Bob also with his wife worked on local Washington history, transcribing early minutes from the Washington Union Church (1879-1937) and the Washington Township Early Records (1887-1909.) Bob was an avid woodworker and loved spending time with his family and shall be missed by many.
He is survived by his beloved wife Cheryl of Washington Township; beloved daughters, Debra (Joyce Holbrook) Allen of Dunedin, Lisa (Brian) Bousson of Sterling Heights, Michele (James) Drzewiecki of Lenox; beloved grandchildren, Emily Bousson of St. Clair Shores, Robert Bousson of Ravena; loving great-grandchildren; Blake Towers and Declan Powers.
He was preceded in death by his siblings Gwenthea Norman and Duane (Bud) Allen.
Visitation will be held 3-8 p.m., Wednesday, Feb. 24, 2021, at Muir Funeral Home and Celebration of Life Center 296 South Main Street, Romeo.
A Funeral Service will be held 11 a.m., Thursday, Feb. 25 at the funeral home with the Rev. Kevin Cook officiating.
Burial will be made at Mount Vernon Cemetery.
In Lieu of Flowers, memorial donations may be made to the American Battlefield Trust (1156 15th St NW, Washington, DC 20005) or the Friends of the Octagon House (P. O. Box 94118, Washington, MI 48094.)
Arrangements were entrusted to the Muir Funeral Home and Celebration of Life Center (296 South Main, Romeo, MI 48065.) Please be sure to sign the virtual guest book at www.Muirfh.com.
