Allen David Sevener walked on, on the evening of Wednesday, May 23, 2018, after suffering briefly from cancer. He was at home surrounded by family. The arc of his life displays the incredible spirit of a renaissance man who loved to share his gifts with others.
He had a wide range of deep knowledge and passion in and about many things. He was an adventurer, an entrepreneur, a teacher, and an award winning writer. Most of all, he was husband, Dad, and grandfather to his family.
He will be greatly missed. He was born in 1947 in Bay City to Allen C. and Claramae (Barnikow) Sevener. As his namesake, his father had a profound influence, which included a shared love of music and science, as well as a reverence for knowledge and education.
An avid adapter of technology from an early age, Al often spoke of the opportunities he found for self exploration at his progressive middle school in Monroe. There his interests in science and technology blossomed, while playing the violin kindled a lifelong love of music and the arts. His father, selected in 1961 to begin operation of the Big Rock Nuclear Power Plant, moved the family to a farm overlooking Little Traverse Bay in Petoskey, the present day site of Siebenhar.
As the oldest of six children, Al led farming activities raising cattle, sheep, chickens, and rabbits. One of his passions was the cinematic arts, so in high school he began one of his favorite side jobs as the projectionist at the Temple(Gaslight) and Hollywood Theaters, which he continued whenever possible until they closed. Graduating from PHS in 1965, he attended NCMC before enlisting in the Air Force at the height of the Vietnam War.
After being medicallydischarged he married Sarah Allen in 1970, and with her raised two children. Allen had a love of adventure that took him to remote areas and usually combined with his love of photography. There was an attempted world record snowmobile trip to northern Canada where he served as the expedition cinematographer for National Geographic.
In 1978 the family moved to Barrow, Alaska, where he took advantage of many photographic excursions. He continued his education earning a total of five degrees. Attending CMU and UCLA, he earned Bachelor’s degrees in film and earth science, and a Master’s degree in screen writing.
He was a champion of education, working as the Inupiat Community of the Arctic Slope Director of Education, and brought Native Inupiat students back to North Central Michigan College in 1982. Allen taught at NCMC for over 30 years. He also served as the State Arts and Education Director.
As an entrepreneur, Allen attempted a wide variety of ventures. His first was the concession at Petoskey State Park, which is recalled fondly by the whole family. He expanded to run other park concessions, a gift shop, and a restaurant, as well as a photography studio.
His knowledge and passion for technology led him to open the first computer store in Northern Michigan —Bits, Bytes, and Nibbles —downtown on Petoskey Street. As a computer pioneer he developed a variety of technologies such as a video printing center, touch screen information systems, and computer animation. He also worked with robot automation systems.
Allen was also an artist, writer, hunter, fisherman, gardener, mechanic, and local historian. He could fix anything. He addressed the U.S. Congress.
He met and had opportunity to influence the likes of Wernher von Braun, Bill Gates, and Patty Jenkins. He shared his love of cinematography with his daughter and granddaughter. Allen was a dreamer who actually implemented his dreams.
Allen leaves behind his wife of 48 years, Sarah, his daughter, Tana and husband Pat Baldwin, granddaughter Sarah Rose Baldwin, his son Nathan and wife Kathleen (McDonald) Sevener, grandsons Josh, Ben, and Will, three brothers, one sister, nieces, nephews, and many friends. He was preceded in death by his parents and his youngest brother John. Allen was very supportive of the native heritage of his wife and children.
The Reverend Dan Chingwa will lead a celebration of his life on the beach at Petoskey State Park, Thursday, May 31st, at 11:00 A.M. in lieu of flowers the family would appreciate donations in his memory to the Crooked Tree Arts Center scholarship fund.
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