Richard "Rich" Lewis Allen

Richard “Rich” Allen, 66, born March 2, 1957. Rich grew up in Rolling Meadows, Il and spent summertime in White Lake, WI at his parents cottage. He graduated from Rolling Meadows High School in 1975. He received his Bachelor of Science in Political Science from Northern Illinois University in 1979, where he was active in student government.

Upon graduation, he briefly worked for EDS that held the Medicare contract for Illinois. He then worked for Zurich American Insurance where he was trained in IT Software Development.

In July 1981, Rich Married Lorna Rowland. The marriage lasted for 42 years until his death. In 1984, the couple moved to Herndon in Northern Virginia and Rich began to work for GTE. GTE then spun off a wireless data company, Telenet, and Rich worked there. When Telenet merged with Sprint, Rich went over to the Sprint side. During this time, Rich graduated with his master’s degree in Organizational Leadership from Marymount University.

In 1996, Rich and Lorna moved to Olathe, KS and Rich worked as a director of software development and information technology. In the early 2000s, Sprint spun off a local wireless company, Embarq. Rich worked for Embarq until it was bought by CenturyLink.  Rich retired from CenturyLink in 2010 at age 53.

Rich and Lorna also traveled for business and pleasure throughout their married life going to 45 states and some international destinations including two trips to the United Kingdom and to France, one being a WWII D-Day tour. After retirement, Rich co authored a book on IT assett management and volunteered his time through AARP to do taxes for people on social security.

In 2016, Rich and Lorna moved back to Illinois and settled in Crystal Lake. A lifelong proponent of education for himself and others, Rich recently set up a scholarship for Rolling Meadows High School. He also recently served on the board of Terra Villa Homeowners Association.

Rich is preceded in death by his parents, Robert and Georgia Allen, and his two basset hounds, Bentley and Lewis. Rich is succeeded by his wife, Lorna; his brother, Bob (Virginia); sister-in-law, Heidi Leo; his four nieces, Kristen, Cortney (Jeff), Melinda (Justin) and Virgina Jaclyn (Nick); nephews, Robert (Krysy), and James, three great-nephews, Flynn, Max and Theo; two great nieces, Yvaine and Nova, and his basset hound, Lexi.

Visitation will be held Friday, December 8, 2023, from 10am until the time of service at 1pm at Davenport Family Funeral Home and Crematory, 419 E Terra Cotta Ave, Crystal Lake, IL.

In lieu of flowers, contributions can be made to AaRoooo Basset Rescue at P.O Box 3962 Barrington, IL 60011-3962 or The National World War II Museum at 945 Magazine Street, New Orleans, LA 70130.