Richard L. Allen

Richard L. Allen, age 82, of Lansing, New York, passed away peacefully at Rochester General Hospital on Sunday, July 30, 2023 after complications from heart surgery.

Richard, known as “Dick” by those close to him, was born on September 30, 1940, to the late Mary (Winters) Allen Richards and Charles Allen. He married Carol (Robinson) Allen after a whirlwind courtship. After speeding past her down Genoa hill in the summer of 1963 and promptly getting a piece of her mind when they pulled over, he quickly won her heart and proposed Friday, September 13, 1963. The next day he received a draft notice and wanting to be married before he left, they quickly put together a wedding in a week! After which, the Army changed their mind and no longer wanted him. They spent the next 54 loving years together in the house that he built until her passing in 2018.

He dedicated his life to hard work from the time he was a child on his family farm. In the 1960’s he became a licensed crane operator through Upstate New York Operating Engineers Local 158 working for Robinson & Davis. In 1965 he went to work for H.D. Besemer and continued his career there until the business closed in 1990. He spent the remainder of his career at Paolangeli Construction until his retirement. Dick was a lifelong member of the Lansing Rod & Gun Club and the Lansingville Fire Department.  Buggy rides, bonfires, fishing, and trap shooting leagues kept him busy the past few years with his beloved friends.

He is survived by his daughters, Michele Bower Brown and Diane Allen; grandchildren, Richard Bower, Hunter Brown and Emily Brown; and great-grandson, Remington Bower. It would be remiss not to include his canine grandson, Henry Joseph Allen, with whom he spent many hours filled with loving conversation and plenty of snuggles. He is also survived by close friends who became family and were near and dear to his heart. Dick was quick to smile and easily made friends wherever he went. He was a true gentleman to his core and an honorable man. A handshake from him meant more than words can convey.

He loved the outdoors and could often be found working on various projects in the yard from mowing the lawn to tending to the garden. He enjoyed going for rides, witnessing the beauty of nature whilst listening to old country songs. He was an incredibly special man known for his quiet strength and easy going nature, and was a friend to all who knew him.

To know him was to love him and he was dearly loved by many.

A private family service will be held at Lansing Funeral Home with a Celebration of Life to be held Sunday, August 6, 2023, at the Lansing Rod & Gun Club from 1:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m.

In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to the Lansingville Cemetery Association, Attn: Connie Clark, 120 N. Lansing School Road, Groton, NY 13073, or to the Tompkins County SPCA, 1640 Hanshaw Road, Ithaca, NY 14850.