Obituary of Robert Lyle Allen

Robert L. Allen (78) resident and former Mayor of St. Maries, ID passed away March 3, 2016 at the Hospice House in Coeur d’ Alene, ID. He was born to Edgar and Leona (Waddell) Allen on June 18, 1937 in St. Maries, ID. He attended school in St. Maries, and following his schooling he enlisted into the United States Navy where he received his GED. While in the Navy, Robert was trained as an Electrician. He was stationed in San Diego, CA where he met Karolyn Jenkins. The couple dated for 8 months before they married on November 30, 1956 in El Cajon, CA. Robert and Karolyn stayed in San Diego for a few years and started their family. They later relocated to St. Maries, ID. Robert’s father in-law offered him employment with Staley’s, so the couple moved to Illinois. After working for Staley’s, Robert went to work for Stills Electric for 18 years. A rough winter with temperatures hitting -32 degrees had the family searching for a warmer climate, so they moved to Las Vegas, NV for a few months. The desert scenery was not appealing to the family, so Robert found work at McClellan Air Force Base in Sacramento, CA where he worked and retired after 20 years. The couple moved back to St. Maries in 2000 to enjoy their retirement. Robert was elected Mayor of St. Maries in 2002 retiring from that position in 2010. Robert enjoyed hunting with the “Moore Boys”, fishing with Cary Allen and Gerald Allen, 4-wheeling, and camping. Robert is survived by his wife Karolyn at the family home, daughters Connie Reed of Mansfield, TX and Vicki (Ed) Berridge of Roseville, OH. He is also survived by his sisters Vivian Croson and Lois (Bill) Caswell of St. Maries, ID, 8 grandchildren, 12 great-grandchildren, 1 great-great-grandchild, and numerous nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents, brothers Gerald Allen and Melvin Allen, and sister Eunice Carman. A memorial service is planned for March 13, 2016 at 1:00-3:00 pm at the St. Maries Senior Center. A reception will follow at the center. In lieu of flowers, the family suggest donations to the St. Maries Senior Center. “Thru A Child’s Eyes” As I sit in the emergency room with my father, my mind wanders to the days event of our routine driving to Coeur d’ Alene. 1 hour there and back for 10 minutes of radiation. My father would sleep in the front seat there and back. I was thinking how this brain tumor has really taken a toll on his body. Short term memory was gone, couldn’t remember what he had for breakfast, couldn’t work the computer, phone, or tv remote. This was not my father!! He deteriorated so rapidly before my eyes. We had to keep reminding him that on this Monday morning he only had 6 more treatments left. During radiation he had a seizure and it wiped him out. By the time we got home and he laid down, to me my daddy was gone. No more conversation. My mother noticed while during his nap, Abbi his beloved cat sat on his chest… She has never done this before… My mother says Abby knew she wasn’t going to see him again. 10 days in Hospice and my father was gone. My father loved St. Maries, the mountain, and all its glory. He told me he remembers someone coming over and asking Grandpa Allen if they could put a cross with lights on it to shine at night for everyone to see… It’s the same cross today that we all see and that grandpa could have purchased the whole mountain for $.50 an acre. Can you imagine? I’ve lost cousins, aunts, uncles, nieces, nephews, grandma, and grandpa Allen, and now my father. To me St. Maries will always be my home… To my cousins and my aunts, the Allen family, the Moore family, and the Croson family… I will forever cherish all my memories playing on grandma and grandpa “Allen’s” mountain and beyond… As a cousin, daughter, and a niece, I love you all… My father loved this family – all of you!! To my mother and my sister I love you! I miss you daddy, Connie