Frederick Walton Allen

the Democratic party. It was in that capacity that he had a chance to spend time with President John F. Kennedy, President Lyndon Johnson, Attorney General Robert Kennedy, Speaker of the House Sam Rayburn, Senator Daniel Inouye, of Hawaii, and Senator Dick Durbin of Illinois, among other key political leaders.

It was also in the latter role that Allen had a notable first encounter with JFK, who arrived in Peoria for a political rally in 1959, one year prior to his election as president. When Kennedy- who was running late - asked to use a restroom, Fred told him there was no time for that and whisked JFK to the rally, where Fred introduced the future president. That was Fred, a confident, self-made man who would give an honest answer to anyone.

Even at a young age, Fred demonstrated a knack for enterprise. In his first job, at age 12, Fred earned $1 a day as a caddy at the Lawsonia Golf Club in Green Lake, Wisconsin. That led him to a lifelong love of golf and to hundreds of friendships at country clubs across the U.S. The job also earned young Fred extra benefits. At age 13 he purchased his first car, a 1923 Ford Model T, and transported fellow caddies to the golf course for five cents per ride.

Fred graduated from Ripon High School in 1941 and enrolled in Ripon College. He halted his studies to voluntarily enlist in the U.S. Army Air Force on December 7, 1942, the first anniversary of Pearl Harbor. During active duty he learned to fly the B-29 bomber, the same type of plane used to drop the atomic bomb on the Japanese cities of Hiroshima and Nagasaki. As a member of what would become the U.S. Air Force, Fred spent time as a pilot stationed at: Keesler Field in Biloxi, Mississippi; the College of Waynesburg in Pennsylvania; the Classification Center at Nashville, Tennessee; Maxwell Field in Montgomery, Alabama; Douglas, Georgia; and Cochran Army Airfield in Macon, Georgia. He received his pilot’s wings on August 5, 1944, at Moody Field in Valdosta, Georgia, and completed his training with the rank of second lieutenant.

Following his military service, Fred signed a contract as a pitcher with the Papermakers of Appleton, Wisconsin, a minor league affiliate of the Cleveland Indians. Before World War II, Fred had signed with a farm team of the New York Yankees, where he was known for his fastball. While he never realized the dream of becoming a Major League pitcher, Fred remained a devoted baseball fan. In particular, he rooted for the Chicago Cubs, dating back to age 7 when his father took Fred to see the Cubs play the New York Giants. In 2016, Fred realized one of his dreams when he watched with his family as his beloved Cubs won the World Series. Fred said that was something he never expected to see.

With the assistance of the GI Bill, Fred attended law school for two years at Northwestern University. He was admitted to the Illinois State Bar in 1949 and, based on the recommendation of a college advisor, he took the Rock Island Rocket train to Peoria to interview for an attorney’s position. It was his first visit to Peoria. Fred was hired and began work at the law firm of Louis Knobloch, earning $125 a month while living at the YMCA to make ends meet. He remained a devoted Peorian for the rest of his life. It was in Peoria where he met the love of his life, Tilley Derges Allen. He loved his adopted hometown and made many untold contributions to better the community.

Like many of his “Greatest Generation,” Fred worked hard to make a living but still found time to be active in the community. Fred was a member of the Elks Club for more than 70 years. He was a president of the Country Club of Peoria and was also a member of the American Legion; the First United Methodist Church of Peoria; Union League Club of Chicago; Springs Country Club of Rancho Mirage, California; Old Baldy Club of Saratoga, Wyoming; and Mascoutin Golf Club of Berlin, Wisconsin.

Fred’s love of family was of utmost importance to him. He especially enjoyed spending time with his daughters, grandchildren and great grandchildren and their families. His love and pride for them was boundless. He will be greatly missed by all who knew him.

A private Family Service will be held on Thursday, February 11, 2021. Burial will follow at Springdale Cemetery. A celebration of his remarkable life will be held at a later date.

Fred’s family memorialized his remarkable life in a book published last year, “The Fred Walton Allen Story: One of the Greatest of the Greatest Generation.” Copies can be obtained from dcull@cullprop.com.

In lieu of flowers, donations can be sent to OSF Children’s Hospital of Illinois or Easterseals of Central Illinois.

Friends and family may sign the online guestbook or send condolences at wrightandsalmon.com.

Coach of the Year

Mike Urbanski, Salpointe Catholic Coached Salpointe Catholic's boys and girls teams to sweep the Division III state championships. The Lancers boys team's state title is its first in school history, and the girls team won their third in five seasons. Also considered: Oscar Barboa, Brophy Prep; David "Monty" Montgomery, Highland; Chris Hanson, Desert Vista; Fermin Villagran, Gilbert