Arnold Ralph Allen of Clearwater, Florida passed away on Saturday, July 13, 2013 from natural causes.
Arnold was born on February 23, 1915 in Baileysville, West Virginia. After graduating high school, he attended Concord Teacher's College, where he received his B.A. degree in 1937. He then attended graduate school at West Virginia University and in 1947 received a Master of Science degree. He served in the armed forces in WWII and the Korean War and achieved the rank of 2nd Lieutenant while working as a Statistical Officer. In 1952, he received appointment of Assistant Professor of Air Science and Tactics at the University of Rochester. Following his honorable discharge from the USAF, he married Verla R. Allen on June 19, 1954 and moved to Clearwater, Florida, where he worked for 22 years as a science teacher at Largo High School. Additionally, he taught adult education at Clearwater High School in the evenings while also assisting inmates at the Pinellas County Jail to obtain their GED to better themselves.
In 1958, he joined the Experimental Aircraft Association, and in 1967 helped form the current Chapter 282 in Clearwater. He was a Charter member, the first Secretary, then Vice-President, then President for 6 years. He earned his pilot's license on February 13, 1942 and was actively involved in sport aviation his entire life, both as a builder of experimental airplanes and as a mentor to others. As a result of all his contributions to sport aviation, he was chosen as a recipient of the 2000 EAA Major Achievement Award. Arnold's service was not limited to the local chapter. In 1974, the first Sun n Fun air show was held. He was there as a volunteer for 38 years. Many of his airplanes have been displayed at Sun n Fun, including a Stits Playboy, a Bakeng Duce, a Dineen Sparrow Hawk, and a J 3 Cub.
In addition to the Stits Playboy and the Bakeng Duce (both of which are still flying), Arnold has been involved in the restoration of 2 Aircoupes, 2 J 3 Cubs, a Skyhopper, a Sparrow Hawk, and the partial restoration of a Hatz Biplane. He has also assisted in the building of the only flying replica of the first commercially scheduled airplane, the Benoist (now on display at the Florida Aviation History Museum in St. Petersburg, FL). He was also instrumental in the research and construction of a flying replica of the Ford Flivver. He designed and built the "Arnold Rustler," a one-of-a-kind two-place high wing monoplane. Arnold has built more than 300 sets of hand rudder controls and shipped them all over the world for use by handicapped pilots. These were supplied at his cost to be used in Piper aircraft.
He was also active in a local clowning troupe, bringing cheer and smiles to patients at Morton Plant Hospital. He also loved to use his dummy, Herkamer , to entertain many as a ventriloquist. He has written and directed stage plays, was an expert leather craftsman (winning many awards), was an amateur taxidermist, and was often called upon as a sign painter because of his gift for lettering. He also was talented in calligraphy.
He is survived by his wife, Verla, daughter Sandra Connolly, son-in-law Michael Connolly, grandchildren Kelly and Daniel Connolly, son Scott Allen, daughter-in-law Melissa Allen, grandchildren Jessica and Elena Allen, and a host of friends, colleagues, and students who played very important roles in his life.
Sylvan Abbey FH
Arnold was born on February 23, 1915 in Baileysville, West Virginia. After graduating high school, he attended Concord Teacher's College, where he received his B.A. degree in 1937. He then attended graduate school at West Virginia University and in 1947 received a Master of Science degree. He served in the armed forces in WWII and the Korean War and achieved the rank of 2nd Lieutenant while working as a Statistical Officer. In 1952, he received appointment of Assistant Professor of Air Science and Tactics at the University of Rochester. Following his honorable discharge from the USAF, he married Verla R. Allen on June 19, 1954 and moved to Clearwater, Florida, where he worked for 22 years as a science teacher at Largo High School. Additionally, he taught adult education at Clearwater High School in the evenings while also assisting inmates at the Pinellas County Jail to obtain their GED to better themselves.
In 1958, he joined the Experimental Aircraft Association, and in 1967 helped form the current Chapter 282 in Clearwater. He was a Charter member, the first Secretary, then Vice-President, then President for 6 years. He earned his pilot's license on February 13, 1942 and was actively involved in sport aviation his entire life, both as a builder of experimental airplanes and as a mentor to others. As a result of all his contributions to sport aviation, he was chosen as a recipient of the 2000 EAA Major Achievement Award. Arnold's service was not limited to the local chapter. In 1974, the first Sun n Fun air show was held. He was there as a volunteer for 38 years. Many of his airplanes have been displayed at Sun n Fun, including a Stits Playboy, a Bakeng Duce, a Dineen Sparrow Hawk, and a J 3 Cub.
In addition to the Stits Playboy and the Bakeng Duce (both of which are still flying), Arnold has been involved in the restoration of 2 Aircoupes, 2 J 3 Cubs, a Skyhopper, a Sparrow Hawk, and the partial restoration of a Hatz Biplane. He has also assisted in the building of the only flying replica of the first commercially scheduled airplane, the Benoist (now on display at the Florida Aviation History Museum in St. Petersburg, FL). He was also instrumental in the research and construction of a flying replica of the Ford Flivver. He designed and built the "Arnold Rustler," a one-of-a-kind two-place high wing monoplane. Arnold has built more than 300 sets of hand rudder controls and shipped them all over the world for use by handicapped pilots. These were supplied at his cost to be used in Piper aircraft.
He was also active in a local clowning troupe, bringing cheer and smiles to patients at Morton Plant Hospital. He also loved to use his dummy, Herkamer , to entertain many as a ventriloquist. He has written and directed stage plays, was an expert leather craftsman (winning many awards), was an amateur taxidermist, and was often called upon as a sign painter because of his gift for lettering. He also was talented in calligraphy.
He is survived by his wife, Verla, daughter Sandra Connolly, son-in-law Michael Connolly, grandchildren Kelly and Daniel Connolly, son Scott Allen, daughter-in-law Melissa Allen, grandchildren Jessica and Elena Allen, and a host of friends, colleagues, and students who played very important roles in his life.
Sylvan Abbey FH
Arnold Ralph Allen of Clearwater, Florida passed away on Saturday, July 13, 2013 from natural causes.
Arnold was born on February 23, 1915 in Baileysville, West Virginia. After graduating high school, he attended Concord Teacher's College, where he received his B.A. degree in 1937. He then attended graduate school at West Virginia University and in 1947 received a Master of Science degree. He served in the armed forces in WWII and the Korean War and achieved the rank of 2nd Lieutenant while working as a Statistical Officer. In 1952, he received appointment of Assistant Professor of Air Science and Tactics at the University of Rochester. Following his honorable discharge from the USAF, he married Verla R. Allen on June 19, 1954 and moved to Clearwater, Florida, where he worked for 22 years as a science teacher at Largo High School. Additionally, he taught adult education at Clearwater High School in the evenings while also assisting inmates at the Pinellas County Jail to obtain their GED to better themselves.
In 1958, he joined the Experimental Aircraft Association, and in 1967 helped form the current Chapter 282 in Clearwater. He was a Charter member, the first Secretary, then Vice-President, then President for 6 years. He earned his pilot's license on February 13, 1942 and was actively involved in sport aviation his entire life, both as a builder of experimental airplanes and as a mentor to others. As a result of all his contributions to sport aviation, he was chosen as a recipient of the 2000 EAA Major Achievement Award. Arnold's service was not limited to the local chapter. In 1974, the first Sun n Fun air show was held. He was there as a volunteer for 38 years. Many of his airplanes have been displayed at Sun n Fun, including a Stits Playboy, a Bakeng Duce, a Dineen Sparrow Hawk, and a J 3 Cub.
In addition to the Stits Playboy and the Bakeng Duce (both of which are still flying), Arnold has been involved in the restoration of 2 Aircoupes, 2 J 3 Cubs, a Skyhopper, a Sparrow Hawk, and the partial restoration of a Hatz Biplane. He has also assisted in the building of the only flying replica of the first commercially scheduled airplane, the Benoist (now on display at the Florida Aviation History Museum in St. Petersburg, FL). He was also instrumental in the research and construction of a flying replica of the Ford Flivver. He designed and built the "Arnold Rustler," a one-of-a-kind two-place high wing monoplane. Arnold has built more than 300 sets of hand rudder controls and shipped them all over the world for use by handicapped pilots. These were supplied at his cost to be used in Piper aircraft.
He was also active in a local clowning troupe, bringing cheer and smiles to patients at Morton Plant Hospital. He also loved to use his dummy, Herkamer , to entertain many as a ventriloquist. He has written and directed stage plays, was an expert leather craftsman (winning many awards), was an amateur taxidermist, and was often called upon as a sign painter because of his gift for lettering. He also was talented in calligraphy.
He is survived by his wife, Verla, daughter Sandra Connolly, son-in-law Michael Connolly, grandchildren Kelly and Daniel Connolly, son Scott Allen, daughter-in-law Melissa Allen, grandchildren Jessica and Elena Allen, and a host of friends, colleagues, and students who played very important roles in his life.
Sylvan Abbey FH
Arnold was born on February 23, 1915 in Baileysville, West Virginia. After graduating high school, he attended Concord Teacher's College, where he received his B.A. degree in 1937. He then attended graduate school at West Virginia University and in 1947 received a Master of Science degree. He served in the armed forces in WWII and the Korean War and achieved the rank of 2nd Lieutenant while working as a Statistical Officer. In 1952, he received appointment of Assistant Professor of Air Science and Tactics at the University of Rochester. Following his honorable discharge from the USAF, he married Verla R. Allen on June 19, 1954 and moved to Clearwater, Florida, where he worked for 22 years as a science teacher at Largo High School. Additionally, he taught adult education at Clearwater High School in the evenings while also assisting inmates at the Pinellas County Jail to obtain their GED to better themselves.
In 1958, he joined the Experimental Aircraft Association, and in 1967 helped form the current Chapter 282 in Clearwater. He was a Charter member, the first Secretary, then Vice-President, then President for 6 years. He earned his pilot's license on February 13, 1942 and was actively involved in sport aviation his entire life, both as a builder of experimental airplanes and as a mentor to others. As a result of all his contributions to sport aviation, he was chosen as a recipient of the 2000 EAA Major Achievement Award. Arnold's service was not limited to the local chapter. In 1974, the first Sun n Fun air show was held. He was there as a volunteer for 38 years. Many of his airplanes have been displayed at Sun n Fun, including a Stits Playboy, a Bakeng Duce, a Dineen Sparrow Hawk, and a J 3 Cub.
In addition to the Stits Playboy and the Bakeng Duce (both of which are still flying), Arnold has been involved in the restoration of 2 Aircoupes, 2 J 3 Cubs, a Skyhopper, a Sparrow Hawk, and the partial restoration of a Hatz Biplane. He has also assisted in the building of the only flying replica of the first commercially scheduled airplane, the Benoist (now on display at the Florida Aviation History Museum in St. Petersburg, FL). He was also instrumental in the research and construction of a flying replica of the Ford Flivver. He designed and built the "Arnold Rustler," a one-of-a-kind two-place high wing monoplane. Arnold has built more than 300 sets of hand rudder controls and shipped them all over the world for use by handicapped pilots. These were supplied at his cost to be used in Piper aircraft.
He was also active in a local clowning troupe, bringing cheer and smiles to patients at Morton Plant Hospital. He also loved to use his dummy, Herkamer , to entertain many as a ventriloquist. He has written and directed stage plays, was an expert leather craftsman (winning many awards), was an amateur taxidermist, and was often called upon as a sign painter because of his gift for lettering. He also was talented in calligraphy.
He is survived by his wife, Verla, daughter Sandra Connolly, son-in-law Michael Connolly, grandchildren Kelly and Daniel Connolly, son Scott Allen, daughter-in-law Melissa Allen, grandchildren Jessica and Elena Allen, and a host of friends, colleagues, and students who played very important roles in his life.
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