Died unexpectedly at INOVA Fairfax Hospital, surrounded by his family, on December 29, 2020 in Falls Church, Virginia at the age of 66.
Mike is survived by his wife, Sally; daughters, Hannah, Audrey, and Mariana; siblings, David Allman of Kalamazoo MI, Mary (Allman) Kovach of Paw Paw MI, Lyn (Allman) Goldberg of Springfield VA, Tom Allman of Ceresco MI, Julie (Allman) Buck of Kalamazoo MI; and many nieces and nephews. He is preceded in death by his parents, Hugh and Marie Allman; and his sister, Joan (Allman) Rentschsler. Mike was born on August 13, 1954 in Kalamazoo, Michigan to Hugh Martin Allman and Catherine Marie (Thomas) Allman. Among many other things, they taught him the importance of a strong work ethic. He graduated from Hackett Catholic High School in 1972 and then went on to graduate from the University of Michigan in 1976 earning a degree in Naval Architecture. After his twin sister, Lyn, introduced them, he married Sally Ann Wallach, a registered nurse, in 1984. After moving to Northern Virginia, Mike worked for several defense contractors, affectionately referred to as “the salt minesâ€. His career afforded him the opportunity to travel the world but, as the patriot he always was, his most satisfying post was where he finished his career as an accomplished naval architect working for DOD. With the US Navy, he contributed to building the Littoral Combat Ships known as LCS. He and Sally welcomed three daughters into their home; Hannah Kathleen, Audrey Marie, and Mariana Josephine Wallach. Mike was a devoted husband and father who taught his daughters the importance of faith, family, hard work, fun, and many “valuable life skills†involving duct tape and WD-40. His daughters will remember him as a kind, gentle, and patient father whose sense of humor could always make them smile (or roll their eyes) and whose warm embrace always provided comfort. Mike was greatly looking forward to celebrating the marriage of his eldest daughter, Hannah, in the new year to Daniel Brink who received the enthusiastic blessing of his future father-in-law before proposing last month.
Mike was an active and dedicated member of the community who exemplified the spirit of service. He was the Chair of the Board of Trustees at Angelus Academy as well as a popular substitute nurse because of his generosity in bandaid distribution. He was also a member of the Knights of Columbus and the Ambassadors of Mary. Mike was a passionate Michigan football fan in spite of the undisputed fact that “the Big 10 has the worst officiating in the universe.†He was also an expert solitaire player who eagerly shared his winning strategy with friends and family. He thoroughly enjoyed taking online classes through Hillsdale College and recently threatened to make his association official by applying to live in the dorm. He was an avid reader of military history and watcher of “How It’s Made.†He loved spending time with his family and friends and telling (and retelling) jokes and stories that somehow never got old. Mike was always planning the next project whether it be for home improvement or for the enhancement of the family lake house in Canada, which he treasured dearly. “Up North,†he loved fishing, grilling, adjusting the dock, and most especially hearing the shrieks of young tubers bouncing over the wake of his 35 year old Bayliner. He also shared a special bond with his dog, Lydia, who followed him everywhere, “waiting for a pork chop to fall out of his pocket.†Mike was a loving and generous man of God who positively impacted many and will be remembered above all else for his kindness.
The Mass of Christian burial will be offered at 11:30 am on Wednesday, January 6th at St. Raymond of Peñafort Catholic Church in Springfield, Virginia where the pastor, Rev. John C. De Celles will concelebrate the Mass with Rev. Kevin Beres, a close family friend and pastor of St. Peter’s Catholic Church in Washington, VA where the burial will follow.
The family would like to thank the staff at St. Raymond’s for their gentle guidance, the Angelus Academy community for the prayer service on December 30th, their friends and neighbors for their consoling presence and acts of kindness and the Women’s Apostolate to Youth for arranging the lovely gathering after the burial. In lieu of flowers, please send donations to Angelus Academy, 7644 Dynatech Ct, Springfield, VA 22153. https://angelusacademy.org/donate/ |