Terrence Jay “Terry” Allen
September 29th, 1945 - April 3rd, 2023
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Terry's Obituary
Terrence "Terry" Allen passed on to his next great adventure on April 3, 2023 at Hanson Hospice Center in Stevensville. A Celebration of Life Memorial Service will be held on Friday, April 14, at 2 pm at First Presbyterian Church of Benton Harbor, 475 Green Ave., Benton Harbor, MI, with Pastor Sheth LaRue officiating. Military Rites will be provided by North Berrien Military Rites Team. Friends may visit with the family one hour prior to the service at the church. Additional parking may be found at The Morton House and the large lot behind the church. Memorial contributions may be made to First Presbyterian Church of Benton Harbor, PO Box 186, Benton Harbor, MI 49023. Those wishing to leave an online condolence may do so at www. starks-menchinger.com.
Terry Allen was the first-born son of Charles J. “Chuck” and Ruth H. Allen. Born in Phillipsburg, NJ on September 29, 1945, he first met his father in early 1947 when Chuck returned from service in Europe as an 82nd Airborne paratrooper. Raised in New Jersey and later in Michigan, Terry graduated from the University of Michigan with undergraduate and graduate degrees in Chemical Engineering and Metallurgical Engineering, and was a Doctoral Candidate in Metallurgical Engineering. Terry retired from the U.S. Army Reserves as a Captain, and received the Army Commendation Medal for his service. After a short time in the nuclear fuel cladding industry, Terry joined PEMCO Die Casting Corporation in Bridgman, where he retired as CEO after 30 years of service.
Terry was a member of the Lakeshore Rotary Club for more than 48 years, serving as Club President, was a "Rotary Hero", and twice "Rotarian of the Year". He also served as District Governor for District 6360 in 2013-14. He was involved in starting the Children's Safe Water Project through Rotary to bring clean water to the Dominican Republic, and led many trips to take Rotarians to the DR to help the children of the barrios and batays there. For this work he was honored at the White House in 2012, and by the people of the Dominican Republic in 2013. Terry was a member of the First Presbyterian Church of Benton Harbor on Morton Hill where he was an Elder, Trustee and an active member of the Session. Terry's church family provided him with much love, comfort, and support during his last days, and we are so very grateful for that.
Terry is survived by his loving wife of 55 years, Elisabeth D. “Liz” (Zielke), with whom he enjoyed many great adventures traveling the world, visiting twenty-six countries on six continents and making friends wherever they went; three siblings, brother, C. Christopher "Chris" (Cynthia) Allen, sister, Victoria Ruth "Vickey" (Dave Carl) Allen and sister, Robin C. Hand; brother-in-law, Claus E. (Ski) Zielke; numerous nephews and nieces; and one cousin.
Terry Allen was the first-born son of Charles J. “Chuck” and Ruth H. Allen. Born in Phillipsburg, NJ on September 29, 1945, he first met his father in early 1947 when Chuck returned from service in Europe as an 82nd Airborne paratrooper. Raised in New Jersey and later in Michigan, Terry graduated from the University of Michigan with undergraduate and graduate degrees in Chemical Engineering and Metallurgical Engineering, and was a Doctoral Candidate in Metallurgical Engineering. Terry retired from the U.S. Army Reserves as a Captain, and received the Army Commendation Medal for his service. After a short time in the nuclear fuel cladding industry, Terry joined PEMCO Die Casting Corporation in Bridgman, where he retired as CEO after 30 years of service.
Terry was a member of the Lakeshore Rotary Club for more than 48 years, serving as Club President, was a "Rotary Hero", and twice "Rotarian of the Year". He also served as District Governor for District 6360 in 2013-14. He was involved in starting the Children's Safe Water Project through Rotary to bring clean water to the Dominican Republic, and led many trips to take Rotarians to the DR to help the children of the barrios and batays there. For this work he was honored at the White House in 2012, and by the people of the Dominican Republic in 2013. Terry was a member of the First Presbyterian Church of Benton Harbor on Morton Hill where he was an Elder, Trustee and an active member of the Session. Terry's church family provided him with much love, comfort, and support during his last days, and we are so very grateful for that.
Terry is survived by his loving wife of 55 years, Elisabeth D. “Liz” (Zielke), with whom he enjoyed many great adventures traveling the world, visiting twenty-six countries on six continents and making friends wherever they went; three siblings, brother, C. Christopher "Chris" (Cynthia) Allen, sister, Victoria Ruth "Vickey" (Dave Carl) Allen and sister, Robin C. Hand; brother-in-law, Claus E. (Ski) Zielke; numerous nephews and nieces; and one cousin.
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Additional Visitation Information
Friends may visit with the family one hour prior to the service at the church. Additional parking may be found at The Morton House and the large lot behind the church.