Robert W. Allen ’63

Robert, president of a fuel corporation on the Delaware-Maryland Eastern Shore, died March 17, 2025, in Fenwick Island, Del., close to Seaford where his business was located and he had lived most of his life.

Robert came to Princeton from Seaford High School, where he played football and was class salutatorian. He majored in politics, was a member of Tower Club and Navy ROTC, and played 150-pound football in his junior and senior years.

Following graduation, he served two years in the Navy as a lieutenant junior grade, stationed in Rhode Island and Florida, before serving aboard a destroyer at sea. After his discharge he worked for Shell Oil in New York City and Buffalo, N.Y., before returning to Seaford in 1967 to join his father at Allen Petroleum Corp., where he eventually became president.

In 1968, he married Jeanne Wootten. They welcomed their first daughter, Mary Kathleen, in 1970 and their second, Megan, in 1975.

Robert served as president of the Seaford Lions Club and the Seaford Chamber of Commerce. He also was on the Delaware state school board and the state pension board. He was an active member of Mt. Olivet Church and sang in the choir for several years. An avid lifelong golfer, he cherished playing at the Seaford Golf and Country Club, where he enjoyed countless chicken salad sandwiches in the clubhouse.

During retirement, he enjoyed reading, watching golf, taking his grandchildren fishing, and walking his dog, Sally.

Robert is survived by his wife of 57 years, Jeanne; daughters Mary Kate Allen and Megan Holzer; and five grandchildren.