Ross Alda Allen, aged 78, passed away January 4, 2026, in Olympia of complications from Alzheimer’s disease. Ross was born on August 5, 1947, in Seattle Washington to C.T. (Ted) and Ruth Allen.

When Ross was 3 years old, he and his younger brother moved with their mom to her father’s farm outside Williston, North Dakota. When Ross was old enough for school, they moved into Williston where his mom supported the family as a bank teller. Ross was proud of his North Dakota upbringing and the hard work done on relatives’ farms. He graduated in 1965 from Williston High School, where he lettered in football and wrestling.

He enlisted in the US Navy and served from 1967 to 1971 as a Radioman. He was stationed in Hawaii for two years followed by service onboard the USS Kitty Hawk, including time in the Gulf of Tonkin off Vietnam.

Ross was given a veterans-preference temporary position in 1972 as animal control officer for the small City of Cotati in California. In May 1972 he met the new city secretary, Donna Olson. They dated for seven years and married in December 1979 while they lived in San Francisco.

In 1974 he began a career in wastewater treatment, beginning at a small treatment plant in Sonoma, California and then moving to a more complex plant in North San Mateo County California. In 1980 Ross and Donna moved to Olympia when he was hired by the City of Olympia to supervise operations at the LOTT Wastewater Treatment Plant when it was being enlarged and upgraded. He remained at LOTT until 1995 and then moved to other public works positions for Olympia and retired in 2002.

Ross and Donna have made their home in Tumwater since 1981 where they raised two sons, Coel and Kerry. Ross moved his mother to Tumwater after her retirement in 1985 to ensure she had a good home and could enjoy retirement.

While living in San Francisco Ross began running. Once he moved to Tumwater, he increased his running schedule and finished five marathons, including the 1982 inaugural Capital City Marathon. The move to Tumwater introduced him to mountaineering and the Olympic Mountains, where he climbed over 50 peaks. As his sons grew up, he took great joy in introducing them to hiking and climbing adventures in the Olympics.

Ross is survived by his wife of 46 years Donna, his sons Coel Allen of Boise and Kerry Allen of Olympia, and his brother Jerry Allen. He is also survived by Dolly, the last in a long list of dogs lucky enough to have been his companion.

Ross will be remembered for his strong independent nature, his love and care for his mother, his love for the tight circle of his immediate family, and his care and respect for the environment and the creatures with whom we share the earth.

As he requested, no services will be held. Memorial donations may be made to Pigs Peace Sanctuary in Stanwood, Washington, or the Thurston County Food Bank in Olympia, Washington.