David (Dave) Brock Allen, age 89, passed peacefully in his home surrounded by family on January 6, 2022, shortly after entering hospice care. David had many attributes, but patience was not one of them. Once he decided it was time to leave, it was time to leave.
David was born on February 14, 1932 in Detroit, Michigan to parents, Russell Bert and Muriel Kathleen Allen. The eldest of three siblings, David spent his childhood hunting, fishing and trapping from sunrise to sunset at his home on Round Lake near Oxford, Michigan. By his early teens, he was an accomplished bird hunter, dog trainer and marksman. As an adult, he started High Kaliber Kennels where he bred, raised and trained English Pointers and Setters, producing consistent contenders in local, state and national field trials. While grouse and pheasant hunting was his first love, it is fair to say no deer, rabbit or other quarry was safe when he was in the woods. Indeed, he was determined to spend his 89th November in a deer blind, and so he did.
In addition to his love of hunting, he was a focused and gifted athlete lettering in baseball and football while attending Oxford High School. Later he became an avid golfer, bowler and pool player, competing in many local and state leagues and tournaments. A driven competitor, he was notorious for needling his adversaries into a friendly bet. If David invited you to put some “skin in the game”, your best bet was to chuckle and offer to pay his lunch. It was cheaper that way. The only thing worse than placing a bet with David, was negotiating a price.
On October 3rd, 1953, David married Adele Schoff, a beautiful, strong woman who alone knew his heart, his mind and just as importantly – his shortcomings. Where he was brash, opinionated, larger than life, she was unassuming, measured and forgiving. They were a perfect counterbalance to each other. Together they built a life, while he served his country in the military from 1953 to 1955, completed a business degree at Ferris State University, secured a sales position with AAA Insurance, and raised four children. They moved to Clare, Michigan in 1968, where they resided for the remainder of their lives, because, as he put it, “everything I have ever wanted is here.” While impatient and quick tempered, David was equally famous for his robust, often indecorous, sense of humor and contagious laugh.
David also had a deeply loving side. He fiercely protected and cared for his family, and God help anyone who tried to harm those he loved. He was the primary caretaker for his wife when she became ill in 2012 until her death in 2015. And so, seven years later he has joined her for their long-awaited reunion. He has gone home, and while we may grieve his departure, we will be forever grateful to have called him father, son, brother, husband, grandfather, uncle, friend.
David was preceded in death by his beloved wife Adele, Father Russell Allen, Mother Muriel Allen and brother Roger Allen. He is survived by his sister Brenda Millett, his sons Russell Allen (Dawn), Roger Allen (Kayla), David Allen (Paula), daughter Rebecca Allen (Kitty), grandsons Jason Allen, Jesse Allen, Justin Allen, Brandon Allen (Gabriela) and granddaughter Amber Carll (Keith).
Due to covid, the family will delay a memorial service until later this year. Condolences may be directed to the family in care of Roger Allen at 5834 Kingfisher Ln. Clarkston MI 48346.
