Clyde E. Allen, Jr.

Clyde Edgar Allen Jr, 88, passed away February 6, 2024 at The Meadows on University in Fargo, ND. Clyde was born February 19, 1935 in Saugus (Boston) Massachusetts to Clyde Sr and Arlene (Parker) Allen. Clyde was an only child but enjoyed time with his two cousins and extended family. He had no idea what he was in for when he married Esther and joined her family that included 30+ first cousins! Clyde made lifelong friends in his neighborhood and school. If you spent any time with him, you likely heard many childhood stories. He had great adventures from science lab experiments to exploring the Ironworks near his home.

Clyde had an appointment to the Naval Academy in Annapolis, but a failed eye test led to a college career at Yale University. Soon after college, Clyde moved to Washington DC and began working for NSA (National Security Agency). He took all his NSA secrets to the grave but had a lifelong love of solving and creating codes…hmmm, might there have been a connection? A free dance lesson led to meeting the love of his life, Esther. They married in June of 1958 and soon moved to Minneapolis, where they settled for 25 years. Clyde worked for Honeywell in computer programing, then had a short position with the MN Taxpayers Association, before being called away to become MN State Commissioner of Revenue under Governor Al Quie. Following his four years of state duties, Clyde and Esther moved to Moorhead MN where he became Concordia College VP of Financial Affairs and the Business Office. Clyde truly loved every position he held and worked closely with great staff! His door was always open for business or personal connections!

Clyde was a public servant. He served on the Bloomington City Council, various Church Councils and was involved in many political campaigns. He met at least 6 US Presidents over the years. Following retirement, Clyde served on the Board of Regents for the University of Minnesota and the CLS (Community Living Services) Board. He again chose to be active in numerous community organizations. Clyde had a way of bringing people together. He always saw the good in people and was willing to go to bat for them.

Clyde and Esther had two children, Cindy and Scott. But their family was much larger as it included numerous nieces, nephews, cousins, siblings, in-laws and more. Family was very important to Clyde. His relationship with his son, Scott, was especially strong. Scott was born with conditions that would be a challenge his whole life, but Clyde would invest in ways that made life great for Scott. Clyde took him to committee meetings, on fishing trips and just on routine daily errands. They shared a love of sports conversations, late night movie trips and many hours on the phone.

Clyde also had a lifelong love of all things firefighting! It began in his early days and continued all the way to his last days in the hospital when the fire alarm went off and his comment was, “I always wanted to go out on a fire engine!” Some of his best memories include fighting the Red River floods in Moorhead, reading books and learning new things, his archeological dig trips to Israel, days at their lake place on Lake Lizzie and eating ice cream with Esther, while holding her hand.

Clyde was preceded in death by his parents, his wife Esther, in 2022, his son Scott, just 2 weeks before his death, In-laws and a niece and nephew.

Clyde is survived by his daughter, Cindy (Tim) Rogness, granddaughter, Rachel (Andy) Formantes and their children Isabel and Elena, grandson, Andrew (Lora) Rogness and their children Livvy and Clara and grandson Peter Rogness.  Along with many very close nieces, nephews, extended family and friends.

Join his family at a Celebration of Life service for both Clyde and his son Scott, on Friday February 16 at 2pm at Trinity Lutheran Church Moorhead, MN.  The service will be live streamed for those who are unable to attend in person.  Memorial donations are preferred to Concordia College, Trinity Lutheran Church (both in Moorhead) or Community Living Services (Fargo)