Capt. Eugene D. Allen, US Air Force (Ret.)

Capt. Eugene D. Allen, US Air Force (Ret.), 89, of Columbia, died on Tuesday, September 26, 2023. Gene was born June 14, 1934, in Steelton, Pennsylvania. He was a son of the late James Arthur Allen of Staunton, Virginia and Mary Elizabeth Mont Allen of Caroline County, Virginia. In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his brothers, Theodore “Teddy” Roosevelt Allen, James “Jimmy” Bernard Allen, Herbert “Hubby” Allen, Marcellus “Marcy” Armstrong Allen, and Emanuel “Manny” Allen; sisters, Emma “Emily” Allen Scott, Bernice Vivian Smith, and Juanita “Needie” Allen Roberson. Survivors include his loving wife of 65 years, Kaye W. Allen; daughters, Whitni Hemingway (Byron) and Nancy K. Allen. He also leaves behind his grandchildren, Eugene, Jhasz, and Jaida; numerous great grandchildren, as well as his sister, Gloria Allen. Gene was a 1952 graduate of Steelton High School and later earned his bachelor’s degree in industrial engineering from University of Wyoming and Master of Science in industrial engineering and computer science from Texas Tech University under the US Air Force Institute of Technology scholarships. During his 22-year enlistment in the US Air Force he attended many service schools to include: Supply and Maintenance Technical School, Squadron Officers School, Construction Management, IBM/Burroughs/Honeywell computer systems programming courses, and Cold Regions Research at Dartmouth University. Gene held a variety of jobs in the US Air Force, such as an Air Force Liaison with the Army’s 373rd Transport Company in Thule, Greenland, Computer Systems Programmer and NCOIC of property accounting at McGuire AFB, Computer Programmer in the USAF Foreign Intelligence Division at Wright-Patterson AFB, Engineering Officer for the 100th and 509th Bomb Wings at Pease AFB, Site Engineer in a remote Alaska AFB, Staff Engineer and Battle Damage Officer for Central NORAD in Kansas City, MO, Wing Engineer for USAF Security services in Istanbul, Turkey, and completing his career at the rank of Captain as a faculty member at the USAF Institute of Technology at Wright AFB. Following his military retirement, Gene was the manager of engineering services for Hershey Foods in Hershey, PA, manufacturing/engineering/development manager for EI DuPont Company in Camden, SC and their corporate headquarters in Delaware, faculty member and director of facilities management at South Carolina State University, president of the Palmetto Health Foundation, and ultimately special assistant to the president of Claflin University. Gene received many military awards such as the Air Force Meritorious Award, Joint Services Commendation Medal, Army Commendation Medal, Air Force Commendation Medal with two Stars, National Defense Service Medal, Army and Air Force Good Conduct Medal, Organizational Excellence Award, Air Force Longevity Award, and Small Arms Expert Ribbon. His civilian awards included the Army Certificate of Recognition, special recognition form the leaders of Kershaw County, SC, investiture into the South Carolina Black Hall of Fame, and most recently the designation of FELLOW by the Palmetto Health System. In his retirement, Gene spent many hours keeping in close contact with classmates, service buddies, and friends from his home. In addition, he used his life experiences to assist in mentoring young black men. He also enjoyed weekly lunches with his compatriots and could always be found with great jazz music in the background blotting out the noises of the day. Gene was a devoted member of St. Michael And All Angels’ Episcopal Church where he served on the church vestry. The Burial Office and Requiem Mass will be held at 11 o’clock, Thursday, October 5th at St. Michael And All Angels’ Episcopal Church, 6408 Bridgewood Rd, Columbia, SC 29206 with The Reverend Charles J. Smith officiating. The burial with full military honors will follow at 1 o’clock at Fort Jackson National Cemetery, 4170 Percival Road, Columbia SC. The family will receive friends prior to the service in Sturtevant Hall at St. Michael And All Angels’ Episcopal Church beginning at 10 o’clock. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be sent to St. Michael And All Angels’ Episcopal Church or the Prisma Health Midlands Foundation, 1600 Marion St, Columbia, SC 29201. Shives Funeral Home, Trenholm Road Chapel, is assisting the family.

Tributes

Capt. Eugene D. Allen, US Air Force (Ret.)

June 14, 1934 - September 26, 2023