Robert (Bob) Whitney Allen, Sr., Publisher Emeritus of The Wake Weekly of Wake Forest, NC, died peacefully at home in the care of his family on September 3, 2020, just weeks after his 91st birthday.
Surviving Bob are his family, which includes Greg Allen and Belinda Landis of Wrightsville Beach, Jimmy and Ginger Allen of Wake Forest, and Todd Allen and Jill Odom of Wake Forest. The next surviving generation includes Davis and Elizabeth Allen of Cleveland, OH; David and Shelby Allen, and Allison, of Wake Forest; Olivia Allen of Aptos, CA; Jonathan Allen of Wake Forest; Ruth Allen of Durham; Benjamin Allen of Greensboro; Margaret Allen of Cullowhee; Mary Nancy Allen of Asheville; Caitlyn Allen of Wake Forest; and Caroline Allen of Wake Forest. Preceding him in death were beloved wife and partner, Margaret (Peggy) Garren Allen, son Robert (Bobby) W. Allen, Jr., and great-granddaughter Morgan Allen.
Bob and Peggy worked together for nearly 50 years to publish The Wake Weekly, offering their community an award-winning local newspaper. They were the first couple inducted into the North Carolina Journalism Hall of Fame. As the newspaper’s primary photographer for many years, he captured the essence of local life through his thoughtful images of everything from government, sports, fires, and wrecks to parades, fireworks, classic cars and prize vegetables. His column for the newspaper, Roving Around, was published weekly for 67 years, with the farewell installment appearing in print on the day of his death.
Bob remained active in his community throughout his life, including longtime involvement in the choir at Wake Forest United Methodist Church; with the Wake Forest July Fourth Celebration in which he played Uncle Sam for a decade, and as a founding member of the Wake Forest Camera Club. A lifelong avid photographer, Bob was a recipient of The Bob Allen Award in 2018, named for him and given annually by the camera club. He was also a regular attendee at the Grandfather Mountain Camera Clinic, as well as other enrichment opportunities for photographers.
Classic vehicles also kept Bob’s attention throughout his life. As a young man in 1939 he wished for a Lincoln Zephyr. He finally got that Zephyr, but not until 2006 right before the Zephyr was retired. He was known for his careful attention to his vehicles, and for parking as far away as possible from any other vehicle in any parking lot he used.
Bob Allen will be remembered by his family and friends for his generosity, honesty, and integrity, as well as his persistent diligence in working.
The family expresses heartfelt gratitude to Transitions LifeCare for caring hospice services.
Due to Covid-19, the burial and memorial services will be private. A livestream of the memorial service will be held Monday, September 7, 2020, at 10 am on the Facebook page for Wake Forest United Methodist Church.
In lieu of flowers, please make memorial contributions to Wake Forest United Methodist Church (905 South Main Street, Wake Forest NC 27587 – wakeforestumc.org), or Cedar Cross Retreat Center (150 Cedar Cross Way, Louisburg, NC, 27549 – cedarcrossretreat.info).
A service of Bright Funeral Home & Cremation Center. (919-556-5811)
www.brightfunerals.com
