1918
Gerald
2013
Gerald Allen
October 20, 1918 — May 12, 2013
GERALD OTIS ALLEN, 94, was the beloved husband of the late Elizabeth C. Allen (nee Carlson). Dear father of Barbara A. (Ralph) Syring. Dear grandfather of Allen L. Syring.
Jerry died on Sunday, May 12, 2013 in Sandy Spring, MD.
Jerry was born in Monroe, Michigan in 1918. The family moved to Cleveland in 1925. He graduated from Cleveland Heights High School in 1936 and went on to The Ohio State University earning a business degree in 1940 and attended their College of Law.
Jerry was in the United States Army Air Force from October of 1942 to May of 1945. He was assigned to the 8th Army Air Force, 458 Bomb Group in Norwich, England. Jerry received the Distinguished Flying Cross and many other awards and honors. He completed over 30 missions without a crew fatality.
After the service, he served as an attorney for the Cleveland office of the Veterans Administration until 1952.
Jerry was recalled for service in the Korean Conflict in 1952, serving in Frankfort, Germany, flying mostly C-47s in the Berlin Airlift and Troop Carrier Command. He was the Base Commander of Rhein-Mein.
After he was released from active duty, Jerry joined the Cleveland Institute of Electronics, becoming its Vice President, President and in 1979 its Chairman until 1981.
Jerry was a member of the National Home Study Council, now the Distance Education and Training Council - DETC, in Washington, DC, acting as its President from 1965 to 1968, and on the Board of Trustees from 1963-1979. He was a member of the DETC Accrediting Commission from 1979 to 1981. He served on more than eighty-five accreditation visits. He received the DETC Distinguished Service Award in 1975 and was inducted into the DETC Hall of Fame in 1985.
The Wright Brothers "Master Pilot" from the Federal Aviation Administration was presented to him in 2005. This award is presented by the FAA in appreciation for their dedicated service, technical expertise, professionalism and contribution to aviation safety exemplified for over fifty years.
Jerry was a long time member of the Hillbrook Club, University club and the Quiet Birdmen of America.
He was a major supporter of the American Red Cross, a 50+ gallon blood donor, the Cleveland Orchestra, The Cleveland Sight Center, Laurel School for Girls, The Ohio State University and its Glee Club and School of Law.
On any given day, Jerry could be found on the golf course where he was proud to have "shot his age" or flying his Cessna 182 around the Cleveland/Northern Ohio area.
He was a member of the Experimental Aircraft Association of Osh Kosh, WI and its Young Eagle program for which he flew over 100 young people to introduce them to aviation. Jerry was an active pilot for over 65 years.
The family prefers that those who wish may make contributions in his name to The Ohio State University College of Law, Fund #305399, 1480 West Lane Avenue, Columbus, OH 43221 or to the Cleveland Sight Center, 1909 East 101st Street, Cleveland, OH 44106. Private family services will be held.
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Jerry died on Sunday, May 12, 2013 in Sandy Spring, MD.
Jerry was born in Monroe, Michigan in 1918. The family moved to Cleveland in 1925. He graduated from Cleveland Heights High School in 1936 and went on to The Ohio State University earning a business degree in 1940 and attended their College of Law.
Jerry was in the United States Army Air Force from October of 1942 to May of 1945. He was assigned to the 8th Army Air Force, 458 Bomb Group in Norwich, England. Jerry received the Distinguished Flying Cross and many other awards and honors. He completed over 30 missions without a crew fatality.
After the service, he served as an attorney for the Cleveland office of the Veterans Administration until 1952.
Jerry was recalled for service in the Korean Conflict in 1952, serving in Frankfort, Germany, flying mostly C-47s in the Berlin Airlift and Troop Carrier Command. He was the Base Commander of Rhein-Mein.
After he was released from active duty, Jerry joined the Cleveland Institute of Electronics, becoming its Vice President, President and in 1979 its Chairman until 1981.
Jerry was a member of the National Home Study Council, now the Distance Education and Training Council - DETC, in Washington, DC, acting as its President from 1965 to 1968, and on the Board of Trustees from 1963-1979. He was a member of the DETC Accrediting Commission from 1979 to 1981. He served on more than eighty-five accreditation visits. He received the DETC Distinguished Service Award in 1975 and was inducted into the DETC Hall of Fame in 1985.
The Wright Brothers "Master Pilot" from the Federal Aviation Administration was presented to him in 2005. This award is presented by the FAA in appreciation for their dedicated service, technical expertise, professionalism and contribution to aviation safety exemplified for over fifty years.
Jerry was a long time member of the Hillbrook Club, University club and the Quiet Birdmen of America.
He was a major supporter of the American Red Cross, a 50+ gallon blood donor, the Cleveland Orchestra, The Cleveland Sight Center, Laurel School for Girls, The Ohio State University and its Glee Club and School of Law.
On any given day, Jerry could be found on the golf course where he was proud to have "shot his age" or flying his Cessna 182 around the Cleveland/Northern Ohio area.
He was a member of the Experimental Aircraft Association of Osh Kosh, WI and its Young Eagle program for which he flew over 100 young people to introduce them to aviation. Jerry was an active pilot for over 65 years.
The family prefers that those who wish may make contributions in his name to The Ohio State University College of Law, Fund #305399, 1480 West Lane Avenue, Columbus, OH 43221 or to the Cleveland Sight Center, 1909 East 101st Street, Cleveland, OH 44106. Private family services will be held.
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