Glen William Allan, aged 68, of Kamloops, BC, passed away with his wife and children by his side on October 29, 2023 after a courageous battle with a rare type of autoimmune interstitial lung disease.
Glen was born on August 23, 1955 to Robert and Joyce Allan in Kamloops. He graduated from Kamloops High School in 1972. Throughout his youth he was a competitive gymnast, diver and baseball player. He loved downhill skiing, and played rugby and football during high school. He earned his degree in Renewable Resources in Saskatoon, SK. In 1979, he began his 35-year career with BC Forest Service, working in the Ashcroft and Barriere Field Offices and then in the Kamloops District office.
In 1974 he met Marian, and they married on February 14, 1976, going on to have four children: Jenny, Meghan, Rob and Fraser. Their family was his biggest priority; he was so very proud of his children’s individual talents and personalities. He rarely missed one of their games, and there were many throughout the years! He was a constant presence on the sidelines, always supporting their endeavors.
He raised his family in Westsyde, and supported the community by volunteering to be Chair of the Westsyde High School Athletic Booster Club while the children were in attendance. He and Marian were Westsyde Youth Soccer Registrars for a number of years. Glen also enjoyed coaching his daughter's youth soccer team for a season.
Throughout his life he was a passionate fly fisherman and hunter. He enjoyed being a local ghillie for the International Fly Fishing Tournament hosted by Kamloops in 1993. He was a member of the Kamloops Fish and Game Club for many years, and was always at peace in nature. Glen maintained a strong wholistic approach to the conservation of forests, plantlife, lakes, fisheries, wildlife, birds and all life supported in their habitat.
Glen was a consummate storyteller and was remarkably outgoing and friendly. He could strike up a conversation with almost anyone he met. He genuinely liked to learn about other people. More than once he met international tourists shopping for fishing equipment, and enthusiastically took them to one of his favourite fishing spots and guided them to “tight lines”.
After retirement in 2014, Glen liked to experience the culture in Mexico, to putter in the garden, to spice up various cooking recipes, to watch professional tennis and soccer, history and travel shows on TV, as well as get into the bush to hunt and fish when his health allowed.
Glen was predeceased by his parents. He is survived by his sister Heather Stella (Joe), his brothers Rob (Kate) and Skye (Joy); by his wife Marian, and his children Jenny (Roberto), Meghan (David), Rob (Hollie) and Fraser (Courtney), and his seven grandchildren: Brooke, Lyra, Henry, Sydney, Finley, Alice and Esmé, as well as many nieces and nephews. His grandchildren brought delight to his retirement: sharing his love of nature, education and reading, cheerleading their athletic efforts, teaching them how to catch fish and modeling his spirit of generosity, humbleness and kindness.
Glen embraced life, and approached most experiences with a sense of optimism and gratitude. He is dearly missed.
