Dr. Richard Allen C. Jr.

Dr. Richard Cortez Allen Jr., 84, died Wednesday, April 9, 2008.

He was born south of El Campo Nov. 16, 1923 to Richard Cortez Allen Sr. and Alma Olene Ellwood Allen.

Dr. Allen is survived by his beloved wife of 63 years, Lucy Eleanor Tochterman Allen; brother, B.C. Allen and his wife Jackie Allen of Austin; sons, Dr. Richard H. Allen and his wife Kathryn of San Marcos, Kenneth Durwood Allen and his wife Becky Null Allen of Portland and David Charles Allen of Richmond.

He is also survived by his grandchildren, Richard Kreig Allen of Houston, David Kenneth Allen of Austin, Thomas Mabry Allen and his wife Amber Hatley Allen of Katy, Daniel Durwood Allen of Corpus Christi, Trey Scott Allen of Los Angeles, Calif., Emily Cadell and her husband Mike of Waco and Ted Weirbach and his wife Cameron of San Antonio; new great-grandson, Jaxon Mabry Allen; and greatgrandchildren, Hunter, Sydney and Mallory Cadell and Zane and Mae Weirbach.

He was preceded in death by a brother, James Durwood Allen of Houston.

Dr. Allen graduated from El Campo High School in 1940 at the age of 16. He was active in band, high school plays and debate. He was also Joke Editor for the Ricebird school paper with his column called "Allen's Patch of Corn." He entered Texas Lutheran College in 1940, active in choir, band and was elected student body president. In his capacity as president he was speaking to the entire student body for freshman orientation during which he spied Lucy Tochterman in the crowd and the courtship soon began.

In June 1942 he entered Tulane University and at the same time enlisted in the Navy Reserve while finishing his Pre- Med courses. He was accepted to the School of Medicine at Tulane in 1943. In May 1944 he entered Midshipmen's School in Chicago and achieved the rank of Ensign.

Although plans were made to be married in El Campo, Navy orders sent him to Miami for mine sweeper training. Lucy later arrived by train and they were married Sept. 26, 1944. He trained at various other sites around the U.S. for landing shiptanks, and small amphibious landing ships. Soon after he was finally sent to San Francisco to ship out with the USS Virgo, Japan surrendered and he spent the rest of his Naval career bringing soldiers home from the Pacific Theater from places like Japan, China, Guam and the Philippines. He was discharged from the Navy in April 1946.

Dr. Allen resumed Medical School at Tulane in 1946. He graduated June 1950 with a Doctor of Medicine degree. He interned and did his residency at Brackenridge Hospital in Austin. His residency ended in June 1952 and he and Dr. Bryant Pillsbury opened their joint practice in Victoria July 18, 1952. In 1958 he opened his own practice.

He was an active member of First English Lutheran Church, singing in the Chancel Choir, leading Bible study and serving on many boards. He was a member of the State Board of Medical Examiners, Victoria- Goliad-Jackson Counties Medical Society; Texas Medical Society; AMA; Intercounty Clinical Society - South Texas Chapter; Texas Academy of Family Physicians; American Academy of Family Physicians and a Diplomat of American Board of Family Physicians.

He was chief of staff at Citizens Medical Center and DeTar Hospitals; chairman of the board of governors at DeTar Hospital; chairman of the board of the Victoria Family Practice Residency Program; chairman of the Health and Safety Committee, DeLeon District, Boy Scouts of America.

He was proud to say that he delivered exactly 3,137 babies during his medical career. He and Lucy enjoyed much traveling when their children got older and he enjoyed coin collecting and especially photography. After his retirement in 1996, he began speaking at various functions telling humorous stories and jokes.

The family would like to extend a special thank you to Dorothy and Sylvia Riojas for their gentle and devoted care of Dr. Allen during his final years. The family also extends their sincere appreciation to Mark Stelle and Sean Bowers of Healthforce for their extraordinary efforts on behalf of Dr. Allen. Thank you also to Dr. Moe Hicks, John Larson and Dan Glazner (and the many others) for their frequent visits to him.

Funeral services were held Saturday, April 12 at 10:30 a.m. at First English Lutheran Church located at 500 N. Main St., Victoria, with the Rev. Bill Hassel officiating. Burial followed at Memory Gardens Cemetery.

Dr. Allen's grandsons, family and friends served as pallbearers.

Honorary Pallbearers were Bobby Bauch, E.R. "Nook" Rode, Dr. Ern Mooney, Dr. Moe Hicks, Dr. Charles Borchers, Ed Zeplin, Rev. Bud Pearson, Rev. Arthur Rode, Rev. Elliott Pancoast, John Larson, Brill Tochterman, Fred Adix, his Bible study class and members of the Victoria-Goliad-Jackson Counties Medical Society.

In lieu of flowers the family asks that contributions be made in memory of "Doc A" to First English Lutheran Church, the American Diabetes Association or favorite charity.

Arrangements were under the direction of Colonial Funeral Home, 361-578-3535.