Allen Andersen

Allen Andersen, 90, of Galva, died at 4:51 p.m., Monday, November 17, 2025 at OSF St. Francis Medical Center in Peoria.

He was born on August 26, 1935, the son of Norman E. and Daisy I. (Dunbar) Anderson. Allen grew up in Peoria and Park Ridge, Illinois, the son of an insurance agent and homemaker. After graduating from Maine Township High School, he attended the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign. As a student in the late 1950s, Allen served for one year as general chairman for the university’s annual Homecoming. For a semester, this was almost a full-time task at the University, and an honored assignment. After Homecoming, Allen took a year off to live in Los Angeles.

In Los Angeles, Allen shared an apartment with the nephew of legendary Hollywood movie mogul Lew Wasserman. Wasserman asked Allen to serve as studio escort at social events at the side of Natalie Wood, the actress.

After returning to and completing his studies at the University of Illinois, Allen fulfilled his ROTC duties by serving as an infantry officer in the U.S. Army at Ft. Benning, GA. From there, he went to Washington, D.C. where he was a staff assistant to U.S. Rep. Silvio Conte (R-MA). While in D.C., one of Allen’s fellow staff assistants and friends in D.C. was Englishwoman Betty Boothroyd, later a member of Parliament in the United Kingdom and also the Speaker of the House in that body.

In the 1960s, Allen became a protégé of William Blazer, a successful entrepreneur in Chicago. When Blazer was asked by Gov. Richard Ogilvie to head the new Illinois Environmental Protection Agency, Allen joined Blazer in Springfield as his top assistant. He was also for many years an executive with the American Automobile Association in Detroit. President Gerald Ford appointed Allen to be Director of the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission for Region V, headquartered in Chicago.

Allen moved to Kewanee in the 1990’s, where he was able to help with the affairs of two elderly aunts of his who lived in Galva. At the same time, Allen served as Executive Director of the Kewanee Economic Development Corporation. Allen was living in the family ancestral home in Galva at the time of his passing. Allen was a direct descendant of Lafe Dunbar, the founder of LaFayette IL.

He enjoyed being active in Republican politics and was a key volunteer adviser and campaigner for Mark Baker, unsuccessful candidate for Congress in the district anchored by Rock Island and covering Henry County. He was also of significant assistance to the City of Galva. At one time, he was able to draw upon his experience and contacts in Springfield to save Galva several million dollars in a dispute with the Illinois EPA. Allen thoroughly enjoyed politics and attending Chamber of Commerce events in Galva and Kewanee.

He was an avid golfer who continued to enjoy the game past his 90th birthday. He traveled to attend PGA events, wintered in Florida, and played courses across the country. He had an insatiable curiosity about the lives of others and was a consummate conversationalist. He was the proud keeper of nearly two centuries of family history in Illinois and was fiercely loyal to family and friends, regularly offering his support, guidance, and wisdom.

Allen found enjoyment in socializing and “bending the ear” of anyone who would listen!

Allen was preceded in death by his parents, Norman and Daisy (Dunbar) Andersen, his younger brother Sayre D. Andersen, and his former wife and dear friend Joan (Anderson) Andersen.

He is survived by his son, Whitney D. Andersen of Aurora, Illinois; grandchildren Ashley, Kayla, and Calvin; great-grandchildren Juniper and Murphy; nephews Soren, Eric, and Seth Andersen; and niece Christine Hagerbaumer.

Funeral services will be held at 11:00 a.m., Wednesday, December 3 at Rux Funeral Home in Galva with Pastor Marshall Jones officiating. A visitation will be held one hour prior to the services at the funeral home. The burial will follow at Galva Cemetery where military rites will be accorded by the Galva Fusiliers. Memorials may be directed to Black Hawk East Foundation.

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