of Maumelle, AR
April 1, 1956 - June 11, 2016
Ralph Hammett Allen, 60, of Maumelle, Arkansas passed away with family surrounding him on June 11, 2016. Ralph died suddenly of cardiac arrest. He was born April 1, 1956 (both an April Fool and Easter Bunny) in Ann Arbor, Michigan to Dorothy and George Allen. His family settled in Rochester, MN in 1968. Ralph graduated from Mayo High School in 1974 after having spent his senior year in Australia as a Rotary Exchange student.
Ralph graduated from St. Olaf College on May 28, 1978 and married the love of his life the next day at St. John's Lutheran Church in Northfield, MN. Then, on May 30, he started law school at the University of Iowa.
With his law degree and bar exam completed in only two years, he joined the JAG Corp of the United States Army and spent the next three years in Germany. His wife Jan, went with him, and their first son, Alexander, was born in Nuremberg.
Ralph left the regular Army in late 1983 and worked for a few years in the County Attorney's office in Fort Dodge, Iowa. He continued in the Army Reserves, retiring in 2010 as a Colonel.
In 1988, Ralph moved his family to Little Rock, AR where he joined the legal staff of the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers and became Deputy Counsel.
Ralph was an active Boy Scout of Troop 82 at Zumbro Lutheran Church and attained the rank of Eagle. He was an active scouter for the rest of his life. While in Iraq, he helped bring Boy Scouting to Baghdad with troop meetings, pinewood derby races and camping trips in Saddam Hussein's former zoo. Always an Eagle Scout he continued his work with Troop 431 at Amboy Methodist Church in North Little Rock and Cub Scout Pack 10 at Harris Elementary.
Ralph is survived by his parents Dorothy and George Allen of Rochester, MN; his wife, Jan (Vevle) of Maumelle; three sons, Alexander (Holly) of Huntsville, AL, Justin (Michelle) of Little Rock, and Ethan of Maumelle; and one new granddaughter, Hadley Elisse.
Also surviving are: sister, Ruth (Jeff) Ehler of Omaha, NE, brothers, Richard (Brigid) of West Hartford, CT, Frank (Kim) of Rochester, MN, and George Leighton Allen Jr.(Esperanza) of Clovis, CA.
A visitation is scheduled for 5-7pm on Wednesday, June 15th at Faith Lutheran Church, 7525 W Markham St, Little Rock. A funeral service is scheduled for 10am, Thursday, June 16th at Faith Lutheran Church. Pastor Joshua Johnson will officiate the service. All are welcome to attend and celebrate Ralph's life. In lieu of flowers, please send donations to Quapaw Area Council '''' Boy Scouts of America at 3220 Cantrell Rd, Little Rock, AR 72202.
Arrangements by Roller-Chenal Funeral Home, 13801 Chenal Parkway, Little Rock, Arkansas 72212, (501) 224-8300.
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33 Condolence(s)
Rozelle
Friday, March 1, 2024
My sincere condolences, great scout master!!!!
From Harris Elementary School
COL (ret) Scott D. and Sandra Sanders
Thursday, June 30, 2016
Jan and family, you all are constantly in our thoughts and prayers. Our condolences for your loss. Ralph was a singularly hard working, compassionate, and gifted individual and leader in so many ways. His unequivocal love for his Christian faith, family, and service to his country as an officer in the United States Army is an inspirational example to all of us. What an incredible life well lived! May God bless and comfort you all in the days ahead.
Scott and Sandy Sanders
DW
Monday, June 27, 2016
So sorry for your loss. May you find comfort in the words spoken at John 5:28,29
(28). "Do not be amazed at this, for the hour is coming in which all those in the memorial tombs will hear his voice (29) and come out, those who did good things to a resurrection of life, and those who practiced vile things to a resurrection of judgment".
Mary E. White, D.C. (maiden name Brown)
Wednesday, June 22, 2016
Dear Allen Family,
I am so very saddened to hear of Ralph's passing. I always admired Ralph, and he was a good friend through junior high, high school, college, and Zumbro Lutheran days. My life was so much richer for having known Ralph. He was an inspiration.
My heart goes out to all of you, and you will continue to be in my prayers. May the Holy Spirit comfort you at this difficult time.
Remembering all of you with love, Mary
Rita Atkinson
Thursday, June 16, 2016
The Allen family,
May the cherished memories of Ralph that you hold dear be of comfort in the difficult days ahead.
Ralph was an exceptional man, always with that smile and helpful attitude. He will be missed by many that loved him and respected him. Prayers of comfort and peace for you that only God's love will bring.
Alicia Worthington Kempinski
Thursday, June 16, 2016
Dear Jan, I am stunned and very sad to learn of Ralph's passing. He was a wonderful man and I am so sorry he is gone. Thinking of you. Alicia.
vernon and Alyce Smith
Thursday, June 16, 2016
Lil has emailed us. We enjoyed working with Ralph at Shepherd of the Hills. We are so sorry to hear of his passing.
God's Blessings to all of you
Vern and Alyce Smith
Virginia and George Wilken
Thursday, June 16, 2016
Regrettably, we missed the service today due to illness. Our deepest condolences to Jan and family. Our prayers are with the family for God's abundant blessings during this time of grieving. Ralph will be missed by all of us at Faith Lutheran and we all have benefitted from his service to the United States, as well as his service at Faith and other organizations in central Arkansas..
Jim Stanley, Jr & Audrey Burtrum-Stanley
Wednesday, June 15, 2016
We have known Ralph for decades having many similar interests - including his legal work. We matched interests about all things OLD about Arkansas; we both enjoyed everything NEW about the state. He was a delightful man who shared his smiles easily, was eager to be helpful and was just a joy to spot in the crowd. Oh how many times, how many times... The last occasion our paths crossed was at an estate sale where we were searching for treasures and teased oneanother as to which of us would find 'THE BIGGIE' of the day!
It is a very, very sad thought he won't be at the Antique Postcard gatherings, or the Book Show, inspecting Vintage Photographs and carting homeward some antique keepsake. Now it will be the very memories of Ralph himself the rest of us will have to draw upon -- for we should have recognized long ago -- HE WAS 'THE VALUED ARKANSAS TREASURE' all along. What a fine man; what a good pal; what a loss for us all.
Our sympathies to this family and all who respected and liked dear Ralph.
Marc Swann
Wednesday, June 15, 2016
I have known Ralph for a long time. Our scouting paths crossed many years ago. We have seen a lot of Scouts go through Troop 431 together. We became best friends along the way and I will miss him very much. Our thoughts and prayers are with Jan and family.
Gary and Lora Puls
Wednesday, June 15, 2016
Our thoughts and prayers are with your family .
Jose&Micki Gallegos family
Wednesday, June 15, 2016
We will miss you so much. Over the past four years you have become an extended part of our family. It was such an honor and privaledge to have met you and have you in our lives.
Dwight Shaw
Tuesday, June 14, 2016
Roy Dudley
Tuesday, June 14, 2016
On behalf of the RDES family - we offer our most heartfelt condolences. Ralph was a very kind man. He will be missed.
MAJ Colleen Bartlett 412th TEC
Tuesday, June 14, 2016
Sir, your Engineer Family at the TEC will miss you greatly. You truly left a legacy. "Go rest high on that mountain-your work on earth is done"-God has already ushered you in and may he give your family and friends on earth a comfort that no words can give. I am sure you already heard the words "Well Done thou Good and Faithful Servant"
Peace be with the entire Family and Friends.
Liebe Kready
Tuesday, June 14, 2016
Dear Allen Family;
I just heard about Allen, and I am truly sorry for your loss. He was such a kind-hearted man and an Amazing SCOUTER.
My heart and prayers go out to all of his loved ones.
Donald Balch
Tuesday, June 14, 2016
Prayers with the family, loss of a loved one is hard especially when losing a great man.
I'm blessed to have crossed his path, he influenced my path in life. He has also influenced many young men with his great influence in scouting. He has impacted unknown numbers of young men and their family.
Our Lord has a great man beside him now. Ralph left a legacy that many only think about doing, he acted versus just words
Thank you for allowing me to come into your life; professsionally, personally, and through the Scouting Community
Juan &Abby Vega
Tuesday, June 14, 2016
Our deepest sympathy to the Allen family
we will keep you in our thoughts and prayers
Pam Wellman
Tuesday, June 14, 2016
Praying for your comfort and peace. God bless you.
COL (Ret.) Tom Anderson
Tuesday, June 14, 2016
Ralph was a great officer, friend, father, new grandfather, and a great American that served his country with great distinction. His contribution to youth via the Boy Scout program can never be measured. My thoughts and prayers are with the family during this trying time. We will always remember Ralph and his accomplishments in ROA, military, and family. May you find some peace in this tragedy.
MAJ Bradley Hayes
Tuesday, June 14, 2016
COL Allen was the Reserves recruiter who got me into the JAG Corps after graduating law school at UALR. Years later he was my SJA at the 412th and helped me when applying for a job at the Corps there in Vicksburg. I always looked up to him as a friend and a mentor and owe him a debt of gratitude. I know I am not the only one, too. Thanks to him from all the lives he touched and prayers for his family and friends who have lost a great father, husband, and colleague. "Green be the grass above thee, friend of my better days; none knew thee but to love thee, none named thee but to praise."
Jim Cullum
Tuesday, June 14, 2016
We are blessed to have shared the joy Ralph brought us all. We look forward to seeing him again, just as God has promised us.
Lori Conner
Tuesday, June 14, 2016
Hugs and Prayers!
Jack Johnson
Monday, June 13, 2016
Ralph, you always had a good word to say, and you were a professional advocate of natural resources at Corps lakes. Your work here is done. Our thoughts are with those you leave behind. See you at the next shoreline workshop.
Craig Brooks
Monday, June 13, 2016
For a great leader and mentor ... you will be greatly missed.
Kim Hoffman
Monday, June 13, 2016
Jan,
i am so very sorry to hear about your husband. I know you are all in shock. Please accept my deepest sympathy.
Erik Peterson, Heidi Annexstad
Monday, June 13, 2016
The Allen family is in our thoughts at this time.
Allison Long Groom
Monday, June 13, 2016
Frank, I'm sorry for your loss. Your brother must have been an incredible person.
LeAnne Burch
Monday, June 13, 2016
My heart is so heavy with this news. Sending prayers and love to Jan and all the sweet family.
Mary Pitts
Monday, June 13, 2016
A great loss for his family. April 1st will no longer be the same. I am so glad I got to meet and work with Ralph.
Carlos & Belle Summers
Monday, June 13, 2016
Our deepest sympathies.
Terri Koopmann
Monday, June 13, 2016
I am so sorry for your loss. may the God of all comfort bring you peace.
Tasha Hodgens
Monday, June 13, 2016
Praying for your entire family. May God strengthen you and give you peace.