Allen Chalmers Blackwood's Obituary
With the heaviest of hearts, we are devastated to share the news that our beloved Allen Chalmers Blackwood departed this world at the age of 85, on January 24, 2018, in Dallas, Texas, after a courageous battle with cancer. He was born on June 18, 1932, in Washington, Pennsylvania, to William James Blackwood and Lucille Johnson and grew up in the Pittsburgh area. Allen graduated from Shady Side Academy in Pittsburgh in 1950. He attended Williams College in Williamstown, Massachusetts, graduating in 1954 with a liberal arts degree. He went on to serve in the U.S. Army in West Germany from 1955 to 1957.He had a forty-year career as a stockbroker with Merrill Lynch, starting with the firm on Wall Street as a floor broker in New York in 1958 and then the Chicago Board of Trade. Allen was asked to transfer to Amsterdam to open an international office for a three-year stint, finally relocating to Dallas, where he retired from Merrill Lynch in 1997. Allen then continued his career with positions at the Dallas Federal Reserve and the Internal Revenue Service.Allen met the love of his life, Barbara Hill, in Dallas in 1983, they were married in 1986. They were rarely separated from each other for more than thirty-five years. They enjoyed traveling the East and West coasts of the United States over the years. “Mr. Blackwood”, as he was affectionately known, was a faithful and doting husband to his wife Barbara. He was also devoted to their two dogs, “Saffie” and “Spike”. Allen was known for being a meticulous record keeper, and for his organizational skills around the house, which he loved to run with military style precision. He was a great husband, father and grandfather. He was very proud of his granddaughter Sydney and followed her educational and musical career with great pride and encouraged her every step of the way. Allen may not have given life to Pamela and Calvin, but he was a true nurturing and supportive father to them over the years. He has a special relationship with his son-in-law Kendall, and was always happy to see him to share his “to do” list.We are so happy that Allen was able to spend his last days at home surrounded by his loved ones. None of this would have been possible without the outstanding support of Amity Hospice, and their caring, loving and dedicated team.Allen is survived by his wife Barbara, step-son Calvin Simpson, step-daughter Pamela and husband Kendall Hefley, along with granddaughter Sydney Hefley, sister Patricia Babcock of Atlanta, cousins Betty Jean McClay and Valerie Johnson, neice Vicky Babcock, nephew Robert Babcock, and wife Connie and children, Robert and Anna.In lieu of flowers, a contribution to Operation Kindness, at http://www.operationkindness.org, or a charity of your choice would be appreciated.Funeral arrangements have been entrusted to Restland Funeral Home.
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