Lt. Col. (Ret) Brian R. Allen, 68, died on February 24, 2017, after a brief illness. Born in 1948 in Peoria, Il., to Lee and Patricia (Bird) Allen, Brian was raised on a small Hereford cattle farm in Alta, Il., among a large extended family and close-knit community.

Brian graduated from Dunlap Township High School in 1967 and headed for Knox College in Galesburg, Il. His love of foreign languages led him to study in Barcelona, Spain, during his junior year and earn a Bachelor of Arts in Modern Languages, graduating cum laude in 1971. Knox College was also where he met the love of his life, Julie Nance, whom he married in December 1972.

While earning a Master of Arts in Spanish Literature from the University of Iowa, Brian enrolled in the US Air Force Reserve Officers Training Corps. He received his commission as a Distinguished Military Graduate in 1973.

Brian served 22 years as an Air Force Intelligence Officer with assignments at Plattsburgh AFB, New York; Howard AFB, Panama Canal Zone; Langley AFB; Osan AFB, Korea; Bolling AFB, Washington, DC; and the 497th Reconnaissance Technical Group in Germany.   He commanded the 7426th Tactical Reconnaissance Intelligence Support Squadron at Zweibrucken AFB, Germany, from April 1990 until the unit's deactivation in April 1991. During DESERT STORM, he deployed to Incirlik AFB, Turkey.

He retired in 1995 as Chief of the Force Management Branch, Air Combat Command Headquarters at Langley AFB. His decorations and service medals include the Bronze Star and the Meritorious Service Medal with five oak leaf clusters. Following his retirement from active duty, Brian worked as a defense contractor until 2012.

Brian and Julie enjoyed the many travel opportunities his career provided and embarked on numerous adventures, from driving the Pan-American Highway to exploring Asia and Europe. They also collected special souvenirs from each overseas duty location – their three children were all born outside of the United States.

In 2000, Brian exercised his Spanish language skills and joined a team of volunteers on the first Orphan Helpers mission trip to El Salvador. Since then, he has led and participated in more than 15 trips and served as both a board member and Director of Operations for the Newport News-based organization. His work touched the lives of countless orphaned children and incarcerated youth in Central America.

Brian has been a dedicated member of First United Methodist Church of Fox Hill since 1991, serving as Lay Leader, adult Sunday school teacher, and choir member.

A lifelong musician, Brian sang with school and church choirs around the world and was a member of the Barbershop Harmony Society for more than 40 years. He sang with the 1986 World Champion Alexandria Harmonizers; directed Barbershop choruses in Hampton, Suffolk, and Norfolk, Va.; and was a member of several quartets. Brian truly embodied the Barbershop motto, "Keep the Whole World Singing."

Brian is survived by Julie, his wife of 44 years; their children Nancy, Matthew and Amy (birth name William); sister Karen (Ed), niece Delaney (Denny) and nephew Ross (Cara); and numerous extended family members and friends. He will be greatly missed for his sense of humor, generosity, faith and service to others.

A memorial service will be held on Saturday, March 4, at 2 p.m. at First United Methodist Church of Fox Hill in Hampton, followed by a reception. He will be interred at a later date in his hometown in Illinois. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to Orphan Helpers or First UMC Fox Hill.