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Ralph Allen |
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February 7, 1921 ~ February 6, 2017 |
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February 10, 2017 |
Ralph Allen, born February 7, 1921, in Echo,
Oregon, passed away February 6, 2017, in
Corvallis, Oregon. A private graveside service
will be announced later at Oak Lawn Cemetery in
Corvallis.
He was a third generation Oregonian in
succession to pioneers arriving over the Oregon
Trail in 1847. He was raised on the family farm
in Bonners Ferry through the Great Depression.
He arrived in Corvallis in 1939 to attend Oregon
State College.
He met Suzanne Knupp while working in the
kitchen of the Delta Zeta house. The vibrant
Suzanne and quiet resolute Ralph were married in
1942 and remained so for 53 years until her
death in 1995.
Ralph served in the Army from 1942 until 1946,
with final assignment in Europe. He was a living
example of what has been called the “greatest
generation” that served unselfishly when called
upon, and sacrificed so much to defend the
freedoms we enjoy today.
He graduated from OSC while working at Heckert’s
Hardware store on Fourth Street. After college
he started his lifelong vocation as a general
contractor. He and Suzanne were soon building
homes in Corvallis. He was known for his
practical approach, work ethic, competency,
integrity, self-sufficiency and reliability.
He was a founding member of the Oregon State
Home Builders Association, and longtime
Rotarian.
Without a doubt, his favorite roles were as
husband and father. His family was the focus of
his life. Even though Suzanne’s travels took
them all over the world, he always looked
forward to coming home.
His son, Terry, died in 2011.
Surviving family includes Terry’s wife, Brigid,
and grandsons Patrick and Greg, living in
Portland, and son Steve, wife Karen and
grandchildren Pamela Fox of Chicago and Scott in
Corvallis.
Both sons worked on a daily basis with their
father for over 30 years in the family business
of construction and property development. Each
son acknowledged the greatest satisfaction in
their adult working lives was to work, plan, and
realize their dreams shared with, encouraged,
and supported by their father and mother.
In memory of Ralph and Suzanne Allen, their son
and families honor them as we live on sharing
their dreams. |
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