Richard Redington Allen, 78, of Wayland, formerly of Belmont, passed away from dementia on Jan. 22, 2025.
Born on May 27, 1946, in Buffalo, New York, he was the son of Jean (Aspinwall) Allen and Roy Duke Allen.
Richard is survived by his wife Nancy (Schuster) Allen; identical twin brother Robert Vreeland Allen of Mooresville, North Carolina; his sister, Barbara Jane Allen of Cambridge; his son, Seth Cormack Allen and grandson Hayato of Yokohama, Japan; daughter, Laura Jean Allen; daughter Emily Margaret Allen and son-in-law Joshua Marmor and grandchildren Sophia, Aubrey, and Max Marmor of Natick.
Richard graduated from Colgate University in 1968 with a bachelor’s in English. He briefly pursued a career as a high school English teacher in Kenmore, New York, before being drafted. As a Conscientious Objector, he fulfilled his service by working and living at Hillside Children’s Center in Rochester, New York, a home for children in need. This transformative experience shaped his lifelong commitment to working with young people, eventually leading him and his wife to become foster and adoptive parents.
In 1973, Richard moved to Boston, where he earned a master’s from Boston University. He dedicated his career to special education at Belmont High School, where he celebrated the potential and achievements of every student he worked with. His love of learning and tireless dedication to his students over decades were so vital to many children and their families.
Richard loved spending time with those he loved, hiking outdoors, cooking and entertaining, and sharing time at family homes in Maine, where he could paddle the Sheepscot River or hike in Acadia National Park. An avid reader, he followed his wide-ranging interests through everything from advanced placement physics and chemistry textbooks to the works of Hawthorne, Emerson, and Anthony Trollope.
He delighted in besting the New York Times crossword and had a deep appreciation for architecture and historic homes — even owning and caring for several dating from 1793 to 1959. His travels took him across Europe repeatedly, including to France, Italy, Spain, and the United Kingdom.
Above all, he’ll be remembered for building futures, both in his own remarkable family and in the many he guided as an educator.
Relatives and friends are invited to celebrate Richard’s life during visiting hours on Saturday, Feb. 8, from 2 to 5 p.m. at the Dee Funeral Home, 27 Bedford St., Concord.
In lieu of flowers, gifts may be made to The Trustees of Reservations.
Arrangements are entrusted to Dee Funeral Home & Cremation Service of Concord.
