Born in Ft. Collins, CO, Allen received his bachelors, masters degrees and PhD in Chemical Engineering from Georgia Tech and served as 2nd Lieutenant Retired in the US Army. He worked for GTRI and Proctor & Gamble, and retired as Vice President of Science and Technology Gold Kist subsequently became the Managing Director or Allen & Associates Consultants. Served as President and CEO of Agra Tech and CEO of Luker, Inc.

Allen served as director of CF Industries and the University of Georgia Research Foundation. He was also a member of Georgia Tech College of Engineering Advisory Board and 25 X 25 e Renewable Energy Campaign.

A memorial service will be held January 26, 2013 at 2 pm at St. James Methodist Church, Peachtree Dunwoody Road. In lieu of flowers, friends are asked to make contributions in Allen's memory to GA Tech Foundation, 760 Spring St. NW, Atlanta, GA, 30308.