Robert J. Allen

Robert J. Allen, 83, of Pepperell, died peacefully at home on January 16, 2015 surrounded by his loving family.

He was born December 13, 1931 in Pepperell, MA , son of the late Thomas I. Allen and Helen R.(Giguere) Allen. He was predeceased by his siblings, Rita O'Malley, Helen Longton, John T. Allen and Claire O'Malley.

Bob graduated from Pepperell High School in 1949 and joined the US Air Force in 1950. In 1953, on June 21st, he married his beloved wife, Donna and they moved to Las Vegas, NV and were stationed at Nellis AFB where he finished his 4 years of service.

After completing his service for the AF, he began a long and distinguished career as a Civil Servant for the US Government. During his 26 year career, Bob was on the AF Rescue Scuba team, he designed the transportable ejection seat trainer which was adopted for use by the US Air Force. Bob also taught water and winter survival training techniques for the US Military where his most famous student was Astronaut Edwin "Buzz" Aldrin.

After retiring from the US Government, Bob continued to work for the Department of Defense in the capacity of a contractor for both Dynamics Research and HH Aerospace which he retired from both at the age of 65.

During his spare time, Bob was quite the tinkerer. From rebuilding old cars to inventions, Bob was also a CCD teacher, and a Pack Leader for Cub Scouts. Not to mention that he picked up the food monthly for PACH distribution and from time to time could be seen delivering meals with his wife, Donna. Bob was always there to lend a helping hand to anyone who needed it never looking for anything in return.
He was and always will be the: Beloved Husband and life-long love to, Donna (Conley) Allen; Loving Father to daughter, Kyle Hotaling and Husband, Mike of Jaffrey, NH; daughter, Robin Scholefield and Husband, Bob of Madbury, NH; daughter Laurie Minard and Husband, Jeff of Smithfield, NC; and Devoted Grandfather to Kristie Hotaling of Westminister, MA; Karissa (Hotaling) Swenson and Husband Erik of Hanover, MA; Alyson (Hotaling) Quinn and Husband Aaron of Jaffrey, NH; Holly (Minard) Tabor and husband Philip of Garner, NC; Joseph Scholefield of Hudson, NH; Erin (Scholefield) Perreault and Husband Darren of Berwick, ME; Jeffrey Minard and wife Christine of Ft. Walton Beach, FL; Paige (Minard) Compton and Husband Drake of Savannah, GA; Jenna Scholefield of Madbury, NH; and Great-Grandfather to Gavin Swenson; Bryce Swenson; Addison Tabor, Shayna Quinn and Brady Minard. Bob will be missed by the rest of his many nieces and nephews.

Relatives and friends may call at the MARCHAND FUNERAL HOME, 16 Pleasant Street, Pepperell on Wednesday from 4 to 7 p.m. A Funeral Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated on Thursday, January 22nd at 10 a.m. at Our Lady of Grace Parish, worshipping at St. Joseph Church, 28 Tarbell Street, Pepperell. Burial with Military Honors at Woodlawn Cemetery, Pepperell. In lieu of flowers, the family would like donations made by mail to the American Cancer Society, P. O. Box 22718, Oklahoma City, OK 73123-1718 or online at https://donate.cancer.org.