Robert Allen

Hastings resident, Robert M. Allen, 84, passed away Tuesday, June 1, 2010 at Bryan LGH Medical Center East, Lincoln, Nebraska.

Services will be Saturday, June 5, 2010; 10:30 A.M. at First Presbyterian Church, Hastings, Nebraska with Rev. Dr. W. T. Israel officiating. Burial with military rites will be in Parkview Cemetery, Hastings, Nebraska. Book signing will be Thursday, June 3, 2010; 1 P. M. - 9 P.M., Friday, June 4, 2010; 9 A.M. - 9 P.M. at the funeral home, and 1 hour prior to service at the church. In lieu of flowers memorials may be given to the University of Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, Nebraska.

Robert was born February 19, 1926 in Provo, Utah to Moroni H. "M.H." and Emma (Evans) Allen. He attended high school in Lincoln, Nebraska for one year and graduated from Central High School in Omaha, Nebraska in 1944. While serving in the U.S. Navy Air Force from 1944 to 1946 he attended Doane College in Crete, Nebraska and St. Mary's College in California. Robert was a member of Phi Delta Theta Fraternity and graduated from the University of Nebraska, Lincoln, with a degree in Business Administration in 1950. He was a furniture buyer for Montgomery Wards from 1951 until 1957 in Chicago. On June 21, 1958 he married Georgene Rasmussen. Robert was elected to the United A-G Grocery Cooperative, Inc. Board of Directors in Omaha from 1970 to 1977; Hastings Board of Education from 1972 until 1976; Mayor of Hastings from 1976 to 1980; "Boss of the Year" by the Hastings Jaycees in 1985; University of Nebraska Board of Regents in 1988 and was re-elected in 1994; University of Nebraska Board of Regents Chairman in 1998; and Hastings Chamber of Commerce Board of Directors in 2008. He was appointed to the True Value Promotion Retail Council of Chicago by Cotter & Company in 1984; Nebraskans for Public Television Board of Directors in 1986 and he served two terms; Hastings Business Improvement District Board of Directors in 1987; Executive Committee Board of Directors in 2000; University of Nebraska Medical Center Board of Counselors in 2002; and the Hometown Merchants Association Board of Directors in 2003. He was a member of the Executive Committee of the Hastings Area Retailers Association; Hastings Chamber of Commerce; University of Nebraska Director's Club; University of Nebraska Power Club; University of Nebraska Touchdown Club Board of Directors since 1975 and served two years as President in 1982 and 1983; Lions Club since 1960; and was a lifetime member of the University of Nebraska Alumni Association. He was named "Retailer of the Year" in May, 1994 by the 11,000 members of the Nebraska Retail Federation. He received the "Friend of Education Award" in 1998 by the Nebraska Association of Elementary School Principals and the "Community Service Award" in 2003 by the Hastings Area Chamber of Commerce. Robert was the owner of an 110,000 square foot department store in Hastings which he founded in 1958. He also owned and developed 72 acres in Grand Island known as Eagle Run and a 12 acre development at Lake Hastings. Through Allen's "Education Advantage Program", his store has contributed over $280,000.00 to area schools since 1989.

Robert was preceded in death by his parents; sister and brother-in-law, Bernice & Bill Peak; niece, Barbara Peak; brother and sister-in-law, Bruce & Bette Allen.

Survivors include:
Wife: Georgene Allen - Hastings, NE
Children & Spouses: Kristin & Denny Mui - New York, NY
Erik & Melanie Allen - Hastings, NE
Bryant & Melissa Allen - Hastings, NE
Grandchild: Olivia Mui - New York, NY