Dr. Henry C. "Hank" Allan, Jr.

Dr. Henry Christopher Allan, Jr., a resident of La Grange Park for 37 years, quietly passed away July 22, 2012. He was 88 years of age.  Beloved husband of Norma Jean Allan, nee Abodeely. Loving father of Rebecca, Deborah, Christopher, Gregory (Maggie), Jeffrey (Lee Ann), William (Katie) and the late John (Jan) Allan; loving grandfather of 11; great grandfather of 9; brother of Joann (the late Edward) Garvin and Fred (Pat) Wallace; uncle of many nieces and nephews. Visitation Saturday, July 28, 2012 from 9 am to time of Service 11 am at Hitzeman Funeral Home, Ltd. 9445 W. 31st Street, Brookfield, IL 60513. Interment Monday, July 30, 2012 at Abraham Lincoln National Cemetery. Member of the VFW Post 10778-Western Springs and Moraine Valley Community College Faculty Alumni.  Memorials appreciated to Illinois Veteran Home-Manteno, 1 Veteran’s Drive, Manteno, IL 60950 or Aging Care Connections, 111 W. Harris, La Grange, IL 60525. Information 708-485-2000 or www.HitzemanFuneral.com

(obituary based on an original written by Henry Allan himself on November 17, 1997)

Henry Allan had many careers in his life. He was a college professor, World War II veteran, author, clergyman, social worker, and mediation skills trainer.

From January 1943 to January 1946, Allan served in the United States Army Amphibious Engineers. His overseas duty included New Guinea, the Netherlands East Indies (now Indonesia), the Philippine Islands, and Japan. He participated in the amphibious landings at Morotai Island (Indonesia) and Luzon (Philippines).

A “not particularly gifted” athlete, Henry Allan participated in both high school and college football, cross-country running at the University of Iowa, and boxing (in both the U.S. Army and the Golden Gloves).

As a clergyman, Allan served congregants in Iowa and the upper peninsula of Michigan.

Later, he spent 9 years as a social worker in inner city Chicago neighborhoods with the Y.M.C.A. of Metropolitan Chicago, including 3 years as Director of On-Job Training and Job Development for the Antipoverty (J.O.B.S.) program.

In 1969, Henry left the “Y” to accept a teaching position at Moraine Valley Community College in Palos Hills, IL. He remained at M.V.C.C., as professor and dean, until August 1995. From 1991-95, Allan also functioned as Director of the Center for Peace and Conflict Resolution. In June 1994, he founded and headed the Institute for Mediation Training, a not-for-profit corporation, until July 1996.

In the late 1990’s, Allan served as a mediator, consultant, and trainer for cultural awareness and also in ministerial capacities for the Unitarian Church of Hinsdale.

Allan received his B.A. and M.A. degrees from the University of Iowa in 1949 and 1950 respectively. He earned a Ph.D. from the University of Chicago in 1984.

Honors accorded to Dr. Allan included “Master Teacher” in 1989 and “Advisor of the Year” in 1991 and 1994 at Moraine Valley Community College.

Allan was the author of numerous educational books and workbooks throughout his teaching career. His final book, published in 2002, was a memoir about his experiences in World War II, entitled “H-Hour Plus Three: The Saga of the Amphibious Engineers in the Pacific During World War II”.