Richard V Allen

Richard V. Allen passed away peacefully on November 16 in Denver, Colorado, with his wife Patricia and seven adult children at his bedside. He was 88 years old. Best known publicly as one of his generation’s leading foreign policy thinkers, he served as Ronald Reagan’s first National Security Advisor and in other government and academic roles. He was a devoted husband, father and grandfather, who delighted in learning each family member’s latest news and offering his guidance.

Allen was born on New Year’s Day in 1936 in Collingswood, New Jersey, to Charles Carroll Allen and Magdalen Buchman Allen. By age 8, he had developed his lifelong habit of reading the newspaper carefully each day. Educated at St. Francis Preparatory School in Spring Grove, Pennsylvania, he credited the Franciscan priests and brothers for nurturing his academic and character discipline. He received his bachelor’s and master’s degrees in political science from the University of Notre Dame, studying under the conservative intellectual Gerhart Niemeyer. He later pursued his Ph.D. at the University of Freiburg in Germany.

Upon his return to the United States in 1961, Allen taught political science at Georgia Tech and helped to establish the Center for Strategic Studies at Georgetown University, where he edited a massive volume about the influence of communism around the world. In 1966, he relocated to the Hoover Institution at Stanford, becoming Editor of the Yearbook on International Communist Affairs 1968. Among his other best-known publications are Peace or Peaceful Coexistence? (1966) and Communism and Democracy: Theory and Action (1967). 

Subsequently, he was Chief Foreign Policy Coordinator in Richard Nixon’s 1968 presidential campaign and served as Assistant to the President for National Security Affairs and special assistant to the president. After leaving public office, he established a consulting firm specializing in international trade before serving as principal foreign policy advisor in Ronald Reagan’s unsuccessful 1976 campaign for the Republican nomination. He was visiting with Reagan in California in 1977 when Reagan articulated his theory of the Cold War: “We win and they lose.” He was so impressed by Reagan's clear articulation of his theory of the Cold War that he immediately committed to supporting Ronald Reagan's campaign. Over the next several years, he traveled extensively with Reagan, helping forge deep relationships with conservative leaders around the world, including Margaret Thatcher and Helmut Kohl, and shaping U.S. foreign policy goals.

During the 1980 transition and throughout his tenure in the Administration, Allen helped President Reagan manage many foreign crises, including the American hostages held in Iran, aggressive actions by the Soviet Union, instability in the Middle East and unrest in Latin America. He is credited with helping Reagan coin the phrase “trust, but verify,” and setting the stage for the eventual fall of the Berlin Wall and the Soviet Union.

Returning to private life in 1982, he established the Richard V. Allen Company, advising clients on matters of international trade and foreign policy. During that time, he published a number of articles and op-eds in the New York Times and other influential publications. In 2000, he and Patricia relocated to Colorado and later bought a home near Queenstown, New Zealand, where they enjoyed several months each year. As a Senior Fellow of the Hoover Institution and member of various advisory boards, Allen continued to provide advice about world affairs until the time of his death. 

Throughout decades of travel around the United States and the world, Allen returned frequently to Long Beach Island, New Jersey, a place he first vacationed with his mother in the 1940s. He and his young friends spent their free time patrolling the dunes, on the lookout for German U-Boats that occasionally approached American shores during World War II. He and Patricia first bought a home there in 1966, and “LBI” has served as the family’s favorite gathering place since. In fact, four generations of Allens now think of it as the center of the universe. Their current home was built to accommodate as many of his children and 22 grandchildren at one time as humanly possible. Even as his mobility declined in recent years, Allen insisted on getting back to LBI each summer. 

He will be remembered for his unique ability to connect with people (often in their native language) and for the genuine care and curiosity he brought to every encounter. The reach of his love, particularly for children, extended far beyond his immediate family. His relationships extend around the globe, and he holds a special place in many hearts.

Richard V. Allen is survived by his wife of 67 years, the former Patricia A. Mason and seven children: Michael Allen (Janice Kaplan); Kristin Muhl (Phillip); Mark Allen (Kristen); Karen Ready (Tom); Kas Allen (Trish Keller); Kevin Allen (Amy); and Kimberly Allen (Lawrence Mandes). He is also survived by his brother David Allen) and 22 grandchildren and 8 great-grandchildren.

The family is planning a celebration of life for mid-July at Long Beach Island, New Jersey. In lieu of flowers or other commemorations, the family asks that contributions be directed for “family support services” to St. Francis Community Center, 4700 Long Beach Blvd., Long Beach Twp., NJ 08008 - 3926. Telephone: 609/494-8861. Donation Website: https://www.paypal.com/donate?hosted_button_id=KPJFL8PKUKW4W