Roger Allen Roger Wade Allen, beloved husband, father, grandfather, great grandfather and brother, was called to his eternal home while surrounded by his family and song Saturday, December 15, 2018. He was born August 19, 1935 in Distant, Pennsylvania to Wade and Eula Allen. Roger was a 1953 graduate of Redbank Valley High School, where he excelled at a multitude of extracurricular activities ranging from football and baseball to concert choir.
Roger was the first child in his family to pursue higher education, attending Anderson University in Anderson, Indiana. There he graduated with a B.A. in English, received his M.Div. in Philosophy of Religion, and most importantly met the love of his life Vera May Cameron, whom he joyously wed in front of a multitude of family and friends on August 20, 1960 at the South Meridian Church of God in Anderson.
Roger then continued his education, receiving his M.Ed. in Psychology and Learning Theory from Clarion University, completed doctoral studies at Ohio University in Interpersonal Communication, and engaged in further graduate work at the University of Southern California and Butler University. Roger and his beautiful bride served the community of Indianapolis as associate pastor of the Glendale Church of God from 1960 to 1963, and later the community of Clarion, PA as the minister of Liberty Street Church of God from 1963 to 1969.
Roger’s passion for education never waned, rounding out his career as a professor of speech and Chairman of the Humanities Division at West Virginia University at Parkersburg. After stepping down as Humanities chair, he continued to conduct seminars at the International Right of Way Association. His commitment and belief in education can be seen in the support he gave his family, enabling every single child and grandchild, including those in-law, to pursue higher education through masters and doctorate level programs.
Roger was truly a man of many talents. While pursuing his rigorous academic career he played baseball and football at Anderson University where he was an all-conference athlete in both sports. Roger’s passion for sports endured beyond his college years, coaching many baseball teams ranging from his sons’ little league, to collegiate coaching, to coaching his grandchildren’s ball teams.
Not the typical athlete, Roger also sang in numerous musical theatre productions, the a cappella choir, and organized the Contemporaries ensemble at Anderson. While in graduate school, he sang with a professional male quartet, the CBH Quartet which toured for two years in the United States and Canada. Roger stayed active in local community theatre and music, appearing as a soloist with the Parkersburg Choral Society.
He performed the role of Balthazar in Menotti’s Amahl and the Night Visitors first in high school and reprised the role two more times in later years. He also sang leading roles in local productions of Man of La Mancha, South Pacific, The Merry Widow, H.M.S Pinafore, the Pirates of Penzance, and Eden on the River. Most recently, he enjoyed performing music with his jazz group and great friends, The Prof Trio.
He is survived by his beautiful wife, Vera May Allen, children and their spouses; Laura Thrash and husband Steve, Johnny Allen and wife Mariko, and Scott Allen and wife Shelley. He is also survived by five grandchildren, two grandchildren-in-law, and one great-granddaughter; Wade Thrash, wife Lindsey and daughter Mia, Hannah Beers and husband Tyler, Caleb Thrash, Rhone Thrash, and John Samuel Allen. Roger is also survived by one dear brother, John Allen and wife Anita.
Of all his accomplishments, his role as a father, grandfather and great grandfather take the lead, and are roles he embraced until his final moments. His steady, loving and Christ-like soul will be missed by all who knew him. He was known for gently encouraging the various kids that ended up under his guiding wing, “If you think you can you can, If you think you can’t, you’re right”.
While those left here can’t imagine going on in the world without him, as he would and did say “Yes, you can”. Memorial Service will be Saturday 1:15 at First Presbyterian Church in Parkersburg With Reverend Michael Seely officiating. Visitation will be 11:00 AM to 1:00 PM at the church.
Online condolences may be sent to the family @www.
If you found any mistakes, or you would like to add/remove to this obituary, please contact us by email: info@obituary.memorial. We never ask money for this.
