Allen Abendroth

Allen Abendroth SUNAPEE — Allen Abendroth, husband, father, brother, uncle, coach, teacher and friend passed on October 1st from injuries resulting from a fall. That such a mundane incident could be the end of this lively man will remain a mystery to all who knew him. Allen’s presence was large. He was ever-present in every role. He was a fully committed husband and father who met both the emotional and physical needs of his family while teaching them humility with abundant teasing. He also helped to raise many foster children who needed a safe harbor in their own lives. His nieces and nephews describe him as loud, fun and generous of time. He spent hours on end pulling them around the lake behind his boat providing joy to them and a much-deserved rest to their parents. His teams knew him as a loving, passionate and most-likely-to-cry coach. He never had a team, soccer, hockey or lacrosse, which didn’t bring him to tears…….of pride. If you were counted as one of his friends, you were truly fortunate because there was nothing he would not do for those he loved. A born teacher, he would be happy to talk you through any task, even if you already knew how to do it. As an educator, to quote a colleague, “Allen was a champion for underserved students and families.” Allen’s was a life of value, a life well lived, a life full of love, laughter and dancing. He could have taught a course in how to live well. Allen was born in Baltimore, Maryland to Robert Willets Abendroth and Marion Langley Hollis. He was the youngest of five brothers forever ending the question of whether a daughter was in the cards. He was raised in Towson, MD during the school year and spent summers in Maine where his parents and family ran a summer camp for struggling readers. This camp, Camp Ticawa, helped to define his life as an educator and caretaker. It remained central in his life and heart until the last breath. Allen studied education at James Madison University in Harrisonburg VA where he met his wife, Robin. He wandered up to her at a party and proposed marriage which turned out to be their first conversation. That was the beginning of 41 happy years together. After college he and Robin worked at a home for court adjudicated teens outside of Baltimore before trading in the mid-Atlantic for New Hampshire. They never looked back. After 5 years at the Spurwink School in Newport, Allen worked for two years At the Goshen Lempster School before spending the next 27 years in the Lebanon School District. He recently retired and took a part time position at the Granite Hill School where he was so pleased to be. Allen is survived by his friend and spouse, Robin; three adult children, Allen ll, Maxwell and Rose; three brothers, Robert (Robin also), Skip and Tom; and scores of nieces, nephews and devoted friends. He is missed all day every day by all who were lucky enough to know him. Our family is so appreciative of the kindness and words of condolence from loved ones near and far. If you wish to honor Allen’s life, please support one of the following organizations which were dear to his heart. Special Needs Support Group Listen Community Services Your local food pantry A celebration of Allen’s life will be held on May 6th at his property in Sunapee. Please save the date and join us to celebrate the life of this special man.