Obituary
Allen, Ralph 1926 - 2019
Ralph passed away in his 93rd year on March 26th, peacefully at his residence in Kingston.
Born in Northamptonshire England to Frances and Jonas Allen, Ralph was the youngest of three boys. Ralph enjoyed a simple and loving childhood, exploring the fields and meadows of his rural home which fostered his desire to become an artist. After graduating from the Slade School of Fine Art, he immigrated to Canada in 1957 with a burgeoning family, where he immersed himself in the art community in Kingston. His career included the appointment as the Director of the Agnes Etherington Art Centre, Professor of Art in the Fine Arts Department at Queens University and finally Professor Emeritus on his retirement in 1987. In 2018 Queen’s University created an honorific title “Ralph Allen Distinguished University Professor” awarded for Fine Art, in recognition of his significant contributions.
Ralph had unwavering love for his children, leaving behind Victoria, James, Luke, Olivia, and predeceased by Charmian and Kate. “Grampy” will be missed by grandchildren Jessica, Johnny and Dylan Poffley; Bronwen O’Hara; Micah Cameron; Caitlin, Samuel and Jesse Allen; Cutler, Devan, Christiaan, Dexter and Quentin Coughtrey; and great-grandchildren Charlie, Audrey and Grace Wilson; Joseph and Geneva Bordieri; Marlon and Levon Tooke.
Ralph was a dedicated and prolific artist for over 70 years, endeavoring to discover life’s truth and meaning through his work. He was deeply influenced by our inescapable relationship with the land and our primitive selves. Ralph had an immense impact on his family, friends and students, and his body of work will continue to enrich our lives.
Please join Ralph’s family at the Queen’s University Club located at 168 Stuart Street on Sunday April 14th, 2019 from 2:00 to 5:00, to celebrate Ralph’s life.
“It is with awe that I contemplate how little human nature has changed over the centuries and how we continually fail to focus on the parts that would benefit from change.”
Ralph Allen