Howard Robert Allen
(Bob)
1938-2014

    Surrounded by his loving family, our dear husband, father and friend, Howard Robert Allen, passed unexpectedly away on Monday, January 20, 2014. His passing was the result of pneumonia and other complicating circumstances.
        Although “Bob” was born June 21, 1938 in Los Angeles, California, to Marion Ann Pearson, he grew up in the Sacramento area. He loved the northern California mountains, hiking, exploring, riding his bike and being adventurous.
    In November 1959, Bob married Bonnie Lee Dunn. As an active member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, Bob loved working with the youth. For years he taught seminary and worked in the Mutual Scouting program. He was a professional Boy Scout leader working his way through the California Boy Scout professional organization. He also worked for Junior Achievement, the California Division of Forestry, as well as the California Conservation Core. He truly loved the outdoors and taught his family his love of forestry, conservation, camping, hiking, fishing and exploring. In 1982, the family moved to Utah to help extended family.
    After his divorce, Bob married Kathryn S. Golden in 1987 and combined their families. With the birth of a new son in 1988, their combined family consisted of eleven children. In Provo, Bob became active in the civic activity and the cultural arts. For years he actively served on one local organization after another. The Franklin neighborhood particularly benefitted from his leadership where he served for nearly a decade as its neighborhood chairman. He organized countless "Paint Your Heart Out " events, aided with Provo City’s annual Children’s Celebration of the Arts, and assisted with the summer Provo Farmers Market. Bob engineered the first model block program with the City Municipal Council. In addition to non-stop serving in various capacities in the LDS Church, Bob loved volunteering at the Covey Center for the Arts. He was so regular and dependable the theater management designated a theater entrance "Bob's door" as his own unique place to greet and welcome art center guests.
    All who knew Bob loved him. He was always willing to serve and lend a hand. He was the first to volunteer, the last to leave, and he didn’t much care who got the credit. He was an easy conversationalist, and quick with a smile and a hug. He was always ready with a sincere compliment and kind word; and in spite of the pain of an accident, illness or heartache, he was unfailingly cheerful and upbeat; often cheering his consolers more than he was consoled. A friend once called him "stately" and she was right. Bob was a stately soul with a huge heart. How we will miss his gentle, kindly presence; his soft sense of humor, and his ready smile! We know such goodness is not extinguished. Bob has just moved to a higher, more refined sphere of service, love, and kindness, where he will perfect those skills and gifts that were so much a part of his life on earth.
    Our Bob is survived by his loving and devoted wife, Kathryn; 11 children, Kathy Rutland (Desmond), Kraig Allen (Delora), David Allen (Jolea), Mark Allen (Dawnean), Jason Allen (Molly), Diana Larsen (Korey), Brittany Golden, Strider Golden, Dallas Golden (Rebecca), Aubrey Golden, Stratton Allen (Anna). He is also survived by 37 wonderful grandchildren and 5 beautiful great grandchildren, each of whom loved and adored their great big, cuddly grandpa.
    A “What About Bob?” celebration of Life will be held in Bob’s honor and remembrance at 2:00 p.m., Saturday, January 25, 2014, at the Provo Recreation Center, 500 North Freedom Boulevard, Provo, Utah.  Please come with a smile in your heart, a reflection of Bob’s twinkle in your eyes, and a favorite memory of Bob to share with others.