Herb Allen 1937-2023

2015

Herbert (Herb) Russell Allen, 85, of Joseph, OR passed away peacefully on May 16, 2023 after a prolonged battle with dementia.

Born on June 9,1937, the only child of Elmer and Frances Allen, in Moira, NY, Herb was the light of their life. After graduating from Poughkeepsie High School in 1955 and Wanakena Ranger School in 1957, his parents followed him in a move across the country to McCall, ID, where Herb studied Forestry at University of Idaho, in Moscow. During that time, he met Idella Ashton and they wed on June 10,1961. Over the next four years 2 children, Bobbi and Rusty, were added to the family.

After graduation, Herb went to work for the US forest Service, a career that would continue until he retired in 1994, and took the family from Idaho to Utah, finally landing in Wallowa County, where he has lived and played for the last 50 years. An avid outdoorsman, her enjoyed hunting, snow and water skiing, boating, camping, "gittin" wood, mowing lawns and plowing driveways.

In his retirement years, he and Idella traveled across country to New York visiting family and friends. For many years they explored Western US national parks, the Oregon coast and numerous campgrounds in Wallowa County in their RV. Herb loved helping people. He volunteered at Fergi with the local ski patrol, Air life of Oregon and Hells Canyon Mule Days.

At Home on Barton Heights, Herb worked diligently doing all the heavy work, hauling manure and wood chips, planting trees and maintaining the irrigations system, so Idella could have flowers blooming all summer. which he also enjoyed.

Herb was preceded in death by his parents, Elmer and Frances Allen, and in-laws, Joe and Blanche Ashton. He is survived by his wife, Idella, daughter, Bobbi Wall (Stan), son, Rusty Allen and granddaughter, Cienna Ashton Wall.

Herb requested that he be cremated and for his family to spread his ashes in the places that he worked and loved in Oregon. No services will be held but the family welcomes friends to stop by for a visit in the coming months.