Obituary of Donald Allen

Allen, Donald McKinley Binghamton: Donald McKinley Allen died unexpectedly on October 7, 2012 at the age of 67. He was predeceased by his parents, Hank and Edna Appleman; his brother, William Appleman and a special friend, Irwin Gooen. He is survived by his loving and beloved family, wife Heidi Kaufmann; daughter, Rachel Allen, and Heidi's extended family, who Donald continued to love, even when he realized they were not the Waltons, Leslie and Don, Jeff and Linda, Gary and Connie, Greg and Nancy, Hilary, Craig. He is also survived by his special nieces and nephews, Dana and Spencer, Erin and Mark, Crystal and Shana, Wiley and Sydney, Ryan, Avalon, Bella, and Marcus; his closest, dearest, oldest friend Alan Steinberg; his goddaughters, Maresa and Sarah Strano; his daughter, Rachel's many friends; his cousin, Debbie Barcan, NJ; his Bible/Torah group Mike Ashman and Doug Beattie and his adopted family, Debbie and Joe Strano. He also leaves many other dear friends. Donald was a graduate of Stuyvesant High School in New York City and Brooklyn College. Donald was a devoted father and husband. He was a man of many talents and interests, including a house designer/builder, craft-show promoter/maestro, set designer, jeweler, cook/baker, photographer and sailor/navigator. Donald was a crackpot inventor, writer and poet, philosopher, musicologist, film and art aficionado, teacher of everything and lover of history. He was intellectually curious, a storyteller, a political commentator, a leader and a fixer of everything. He loved travel and adventure. After his retirement, Donald's new commitment became his involvement with Binghamton University's radio station WHRW, where he was able to express his love for music and his opinions on politics. His dedication to the station and their staff knew no bounds. Donald was committed to the study of Judaism, as well as the practice of meditation. He was a work-in-progress toward self-realization and a devotee of Paramahansa Yogananda. He was grateful for the spiritual guidance given by Edna, Roger, and Nina. Donald lived his life his own way, with passion and courage. He wanted to know about everything and now he does. The family requests that in lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be sent to the Binghamton Foundation, P.O. Box 6005, Binghamton, NY 13902, ATTN: WHRW or to NYRAD.ORG. The family wishes to thank the City of Binghamton Fire Dept., the ER staff and their minister at Lourdes Hospital as well as Dr. Kashou, Social Worker Victor Jenks and the surgical staff at the Cardiac Catherization Unit at UHS Wilson Hospital for all their efforts on Donald's behalf. A Memorial Service will be held at the J.A. McCormack Sons Funeral Home, 141 Main Street, Binghamton, Friday at 1 p.m. Rabbi Barbara Goldman-Wartell, Spiritual Leader at Temple Concord, Binghamton will officiate. The family will receive friends at the McCormack Funeral Home, Friday from 12 noon until 1 p.m.