ROBERT ETHAN ALLEN, 87, born March 5, 1925, passed away peacefully on April 29, 2012, after a valiant fight, but more importantly, after a long and full life. His passing was followed 4 days later by the unexpected death of his beloved wife of 63 years, Katharine House Allen.

Born in Cleveland and raised throughout the Great Lakes region, Robert enlisted in the Army after the outbreak of World War II, returning to Ohio after the war, where he attended Oberlin College and earned his Masters Degree in Political Science and History.

Settling in Northeast Ohio to raise a family with his wife Katharine, he taught high school history and social studies at Westlake High School for over 30 years, leaving an indelible mark on countless students.

A lifelong avid ham radio operator, he established a network of fellow "hams." He loved photography and nature, reveling in what he could learn and pass on from the world around him. He was an inspiring teacher, a mentor, a loyal and loving father and husband, a voracious reader and a man who demonstrated a compassion for the underdog, always looking for a way to uplift mankind. His thirst for knowledge and insight was unquenchable.

Published in The Plain Dealer on May 6, 2012