Christopher Bruce Allen

Christopher Bruce Allen, affectionately known as CB, CBA, and Chris lived a wonderful life. Chris was born July 7, 1945 in Hollywood CA, to loving parents Dorothy and Henry Allen. Chris was raised in Encino where he attended Encino Elementary School and then Birmingham High School (Class of 1963), Chris attended Pierce College before transferring to San Fernando Valley State College (now known as Cal State Northridge/CSUN) where he graduated with a Political Science degree. Chris met the love of his life Roberta Mineo through his big sister Valerie. This was the start of a 60-year love affair.

Chris volunteered to join the Army in 1967 and was shipped off to Basic Training at Fort Ord, CA. After completing Basic Training and Advanced Infantry Training he was sent to Officer's Candidate School in Fort Belvoir, Virginia. Chris was commissioned a 2nd Lieutenant in 1968 and married Roberta the next day. One year later Chris was deployed to Vietnam where he proudly served one tour of duty. Upon returning from Vietnam, Chris worked briefly in the insurance business before finding a home at the Veterans Administration (VA Los Angeles) where he would spend a thirty year career serving the nations veterans. It was of the upmost importance to Chris that he and his staff take the best care of the WWII, Korean, and especially the Vietnam War veterans.

Chris and Roberta initially settled in Sherman Oaks and then Reseda, CA, close to family and friends before moving out to Agoura in 1979. They would spend the next forty four years raising a family and enjoying life. Chris and Roberta were blessed with 2 children along the way. Eric Christopher born in 1971 and Amy Elizabeth born in 1976. Chris was a hardworking man who was dedicated to his family. Chris and Roberta enjoyed traveling. They would take family summer vacations where they visited the Southwest, the East Coast, England, Ireland, France and Italy.

Chris was a true motorhead with a passion for old cars, race cars, and WWII airplanes. He bought, sold, restored, and operated some of America's most famous classic cars. His collection would include cars from both Ford and Chevrolet. Chris would attend races and car events at Irwindale, Riverside, Lion's, Pomona, Ventura, Bakersfield, New York, Pennsylvania and even Le Mans, France. His favorite aviation event was the Reno Air Races that he attended for nearly 30 years. He shared his love of cars and airplanes with his children, grandchildren, and friends often times taking them along. Chris loved sharing his knowledge and experience along the way.

During his thirty year career at the Los Angeles VA, Chris made life long friends. A core group of these colleagues would spend almost twenty-five years exploring, camping, and off roading throughout the deserts of California and Nevada. Chris always said that the "Desert Rats" respected the land wherever they traveled. He made a trip to Russia in the 1990s with his lifelong friend, Jay Diamond. While there Chris called home to let Roberta know he was going to be taking a flight in a Russian jet trainer with a rather infamous Russian fighter pilot.

Chris was known for his quick wit and humor; He loved movies, music, concerts, theater, reading, and hamburgers at the Apple Pan. One of his friends commented that, "Chris always knew where to find a decent burger."

Chris had a deep love for family and friends. He was truly a dedicated family man. When told that people loved him, his reply was often, “really.” This response spoke to his kind and humble nature. He was so down to earth, loyal, loving, generous and caring. Chris was extremely proud of his adult children and their families. Chris's four grandchildren thought the world of their "Papa". They loved him so much and he loved them in back. Later in life Chris connected with Fr. Jim Stehly at St. Jude's Church in Westlake Village. This relationship was a source of great comfort for Chris as he battled medical challenges including Parkinson's Disease and Diabetes.

Chris is preceded in death by his loving parents Dorothy and Henry Allen as well as his uncle Bruce Allen. He is survived by his wife Roberta, son: Eric and daughter-in-law Patty Allen, daughter: Amy and son-in- law Chris Marks, grandchildren: Henry and Lucy Allen, and Wyatt and Josephine Marks, sister: Valerie Allen Brasher and brother-in-law Bill Brasher, nephew: Travis Brasher and niece: Kristi Brasher.

Chris was respected and loved by many more family members, friends, and neighbors. Chris will be dearly missed by all. He will be loved forever by Roberta. God bless his tender soul.