Pete A: Young Al: Posing with Family

Al meant so much to me and was such a huge influence on my life, I now find myself completely at a loss of words to describe that importance. And I'd rather not start this blog with a lengthy emotional entry--so I'll jump right to some of my favorite pictures and say only one thing for now: it's unbeliveable how much I will need and miss him as a source of wise advice in the years ahead. I'll start off with one of my favorite Allen Family images of all time! Here's Al and Miner and Erma long ago. If anyone has any guesses for the date and the place, I'd love to know! But I love the poise and swagger of Al's pose, and the joyous grin on Erma's face, and that Miner looks here to be the most serious and responsible of the three!


Katie adds: It is incredible to see how Al lives in us all. In the photo of Al with Erma and Miner (I'm guessing 1922), I can see Peter, Lisa, Ben, Jeff, Sara, Reed and Brooks.


Another great image. Here's Al, Pop and Miner. I haven't seen many images that really show what a fit athlete Al was early on, and this one you can really see that athelitic genes used to run in the family--and these bathing suits!

Pete

Ben jokingly notes: "I had no idea that such masculine physique ran in the family."

The Allen men certainly had big chests, but Dad took his to new heights when trying out for football and William and Mary. Check out his prank in that section of the website.....Jeff

Rich adds these two wonderful pictures of Al from his teenage years!