Richard L. Allen

Richard L. Allen, 'Dick' died peacefully at home on Friday August 7, 2026. He was born on August 26, 1939 to the late Earl Allen and Vivian Sisum. He spent his youth growing up working on a farm in Worcester, NY with his grandparents and extended family. He loved life on the farm and spoke of those days often. Dick attended Draper High School in Schenectady, NY and enjoyed playing pick-up basketball at parks around town. It was at Draper High School where he met his first love, Patricia E. Allen, 'Pat'. In the 1950's Dick served honorably in the United States Air Force in Texas and Morocco, before he and Patricia were married. Dick was a graduate of Broome County Community College and SUNY Albany and then took a job at General Electric in Schenectady, NY.

Dick and Pat stuck together through tough times when his mother Vivian Reynolds passed away suddenly and when Pat lost her kidneys in 1969. During this adversity Dick and Pat grew their family by one when Richard S. Allen was born. Dick was constantly by Pat's side during many lengthy hospitalizations. 'Ricky' spent many months over the years with Dick's sister Karalee and brother in law Chuck Duckwald while the talented medical team at Albany Medical Center developed new therapies that they took advantage of over the years such as kidney transplant technology. Tragedy struck again when Dick's brother, Robert 'Bobby' Reynolds tragically died in an accident while doing his favorite activity, dirt bike racing in 1977. Dick also worked at H&R Block and started a small business, Reliable Tax Service, where he met many lifelong friends 'bean counting'. He worked at GE for 30 years, before retiring a bit early so a newly hired young coworker would not have to be let go during another round of layoffs.

He was predeceased by his parents in the 80s and 90s (Earl and Caroline Allen), and also by his sister Karalee Duckwald and his wife Patricia E. Allen (daughter of Frank and Helen Pietzykowski) in 1991. Later in life Dick faced many health challenges, but as he was very fond of saying about Pat - he never complained. He passed his love for the outdoors on to his only son Richard S. Allen with annual trips to the country in Worcester, NY. There were many decades of Thanksgiving dinners with Cora and Bill Sisum and walks in the woods.

He was also the scoutmaster of Troop 52 from Rotterdam, NY for many years and enjoyed taking the boys camping in the summer or Klondike sledding at Boyhaven in the winter. Dick also loved canoeing at Sacandaga Lake and riding his bike everywhere, including around Sacandaga Lake and on 50 or 100 mile treks with the Mohawk Hudson Wheelmen. Later in life Dick loved visiting US National Parks and sharing these and other travels with dear friends.

Dick Allen is survived by his son Richard S. Allen, his daughter (he never liked to include the in-law) Dinamarie (Vacca), his niece Sharon Duckwald, his cousins Paul and Deb, and his dear friends Estelle Davis and Loretta Moore. He is also survived by 3 grandchildren Patrick, Sophia, and Natalie.

Calling hours will be held on Wednesday August 12th from 9 to 11am at the DeMarco Stone Funeral Home, 1605 Helderberg Ave., Rotterdam, followed by a funeral service at 11am. He will then be interred with military honors at the Gerald B.H. Solomon Saratoga National Cemetery. In lieu of flowers please make memorial donations to The National Kidney Foundation, 30 East 33rd Street, New York, NY 10016. Condolences can be posted at demarcostonefuneralhome.com.