Arthur Albertson Allen, 84, of Coupeville, passed away on Nov. 13, 2012 at Providence Regional Medical Center in Everett. Beloved husband, brother, father, grandfather, great grandfather, cousin, uncle and world traveler left peacefully from his journey on this earth. Darla, his soul mate and wife was by his side to gently bid him adieu.
Art was born on August 11, 1928, in Tacoma to Martha Lloyd Albertson and Harold A. Allen, Sr. He grew up in Tacoma attending Lowell Elementary School and Clover Park High School before leaving in 1945 to attend The Taft School in Watertown, Conn. During his time at Taft he would often find his way off campus to head to Harlem to listen to all the great jazz and blues musicians of that era. At age 16, Art matriculated at Stanford with honors. In 1949 he received his Bachelors Degree in political science. He was a member of the Sigma Chi Fraternity, as was his father before him.
At age 25, he was drafted into the U.S. Army and was fortunate to be stationed at Fort Ord, Calif. from 1953-1955. Art’s professional insurance (Property Casualty) education began in 1949 in San Francisco. In 1950 he became an insurance agent for the Harold Allen Company in Tacoma. From 1952 through 1987 he held many positions with United Pacific/Reliance Insurance Company in Tacoma. His position at retirement was Senior Vice President of Marketing and Agency Field Operations.
In 1976 Art married Darla, his wife, partner and companion for the ensuing decades. Theirs was a blended family. Art’s five children: Alby, Marion, Henry, Mara and George joined Darla’s daughters, Theresa and Tina. Dart, as they were affectionately know, soon took to escaping the grays of winter to relax in Maui each year. In 2002 they hosted a family reunion at the Kulakane, the condo complex they so enjoyed, bringing all their Allen family love to the land of Aloha, Art and Darla traveled through North America, Europe and Asia, sparking, kindling and rekindling relationships with friends all over the globe. One such relationship with Sonny and Macky Wong found them opening a Congee and Noodle shop on Hong Kong Island and they later became partners in the China Gate Restaurant in Seattle’s International District.
After retirement Art and Darla built a home on the shores of Whideby Island with a grand view of all the ship traffic on Puget Sound, the Olympic Mountains and Port Townsend. Many a special time was enjoyed throughout the years on Whidbey with family and friends.
The holidays are upon us and our loss of Art will cause a great deal of wistful gazing at holiday tables and decorations. We know however that, as always, Art is charting a course we are all blessed to follow.
Art is survived by his wife, his sister Martha Lloyd (Ron); his children Alby, Marion (Marty), Henry (Ruth), Mara (John), George (Juli), Theresa and Tina; his grandchildren Stephanie, Martina, Hayden, Gaven, Lily and Tina; his great grandchildren Jaiden and Skylar; his sister-in-law Dianne (Mike); his cousins Janet (Paul) and Alice (Jay) and many cherished nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his brother, Harold A Allen, Jr. on October 6, 2012 and grandson, Travis Britt on Marcy 27, 2007.
Honoring his wishes there will be no formal ceremony. Contributions in Art’s memory may be made to the Island County Historical Society, PO Box 305, Coupevill, Wa 98239.
