Robert Frederick Allison

Robert Frederick Allison was born June 27, 1936 to Frances and Myrtle Allison. His first six years were in Northeast Oklahoma City and the family moved to Enid in 1942. He gave his life to the Lord Jesus Christ at First Baptist Church Enid, recommitted his life at Falls Creek Baptist Assembly, and considered both institutions to be spiritually formative. He also often spoke of Preacher Hallock at First Baptist Church Norman. He moved to Norman as a high school senior and stayed to attend the University of Oklahoma. During his studies at OU the football team did not lose. He worked as a psychiatric aid at Central State Hospital. He worked for the Highway Department appraising land for the new I-40, then as Assistant Administrator of Stillwater Municipal Hospital. Through the Baptist Student Union at OSU he met and married Elaine Seright. They celebrated 63 years together last June. 

He served in the Oklahoma National Guard 45th Infantry Division for eight years. He was the administrator of Seminole Hospital and earned one of OU’s earliest MBAs. He was an Assistant Professor of Business at Oklahoma Baptist University and the University of Illinois-Springfield (formerly Sangamon State). He earned a PhD in Business from the University of Michigan and joined the faculty of the UM School of Public Health as an Assistant Professor for Hospital Administration. He finished his career teaching business at Wayne State University in Detroit and Ouachita Baptist University in Arkansas. 

He served the church as a deacon and Bible teacher and in many other roles throughout his life. He made numerous mission trips teaching business to Uzbekistan and China. 

He loved collecting postcards and wrote a weekly column “Cards ‘N Time” in the Shawnee News Star for several years. He was a prolific reader and writer and a life-long learner. 

He was preceded in death by his parents, a sister Jeanette, and his brother, Jim. 

He is survived by his wife, Elaine, daughter Leslie Gabbert of Shawnee (Mark ), son Andy Allison of Benton, AR (Susan ), and son Brian Allison of Pauls Valley, as well as eleven grandchildren (5 spouses) and eleven great grandchildren:

Spencer Gabbert; Andrew Gabbert (Joy), Samantha, Ben, Annareese, and Jane; Lana Ferguson (Ethan), Georgia and Rebecca; Peter Gabbert (Kylah), John and James; Jasmine Gabbert; Gracie Gabbert; John Allison (Joye), Jack; Caroline Treece (Cameron), Crew and Case; Mark Allison; Michael Allison; Jessica Allison/Diaz.

A visitation will be held Sunday, January 19, 2025 from 4:00-6:00 pm at Walker Funeral & Cremation Service. Memorial Services will be held Monday, January 20, 2025 at 2:00 pm at University Baptist Church.

In lieu of flowers please make donations to the Salvation Army.