Allen W. Milbury

Aurora, Utah - Allen Wendell Milbury, 84, died August 11, 2015 at his home in Aurora. He will be remembered as someone who filled his life with a passion for learning. He was born May 5, 1931 in Beverly, Maine, the oldest son of Arthur Rupert and Elinor Frances Hawes Milbury. As a New Englander, he valued self-reliance and common sense. He founded and directed the Instructional Technology program at the University of Southern Maine and as an Associate Professor, encouraged thousands of students to pursue advanced degrees and diverse careers across the globe. A graduate of Hampton High School (Class of 1950) in Hampton, NH, he went on to serve in the US Army during the Korean War. After his Army service he attended the General Motors Institute in Michigan and became a Service Manger for the Hampton, NH Pontiac dealership. He then attended the University of New Hampshire, earning a BS in Geology in 1960 and an MS, Ed.S and Ph.D in Education from Indiana University (IU), finishing in 1969. He was most proud of his “Order of the Grinding Gears” Degree, awarded by professors and peers at IU. He married Mary Chapman, January 30, 1960 in Exeter, New Hampshire and together they raised two daughters. After retirement, he was a recreation guard on Boulder Mountain for the Dixie National Forest and an EMT for 13 years in Gorham, ME. One of his many interests was restoring antique trucks, resurrecting them from rusty junk to beautiful and reliable working vehicles. His 1941 International pickup was a welcome sight across the nation at American Truck Historical Society shows. He was unsurpassed in his ability to remember people, places and names, often making connections among complete strangers at a truck stop, restaurant or gas station. He had at least one friend in every state and never missed an opportunity to pay a visit, even if it meant driving 400 or more miles out of the way. Known for an incredible array of talents, skills and knowledge, perhaps his most welcome challenge was to be handed anything broken and return it repaired and better than new. From precision machine work to welding to engine repair, Allen never met a mechanical problem he couldn't solve. He is survived by his wife of 55 years, Mary Milbury of Aurora, UT; daughters Linda Milbury Chappell (George) of Aurora, UT and Janet Milbury Borg (Bob Palin) of Cedar City, UT; sisters Barbara Waldron (John) of Ashford, CT, Carol Milbury of Newmarket, NH, brother Donald Milbury (Mertie) of Chestnut Hill, MA, sister Elinor Bailey (Harold) of Hyde Park, VT, brother Frank Milbury (Kathleen) of Ashford, CT, sister Gayle Szydlo (Steve) of Hampton Falls, NH; and grandchildren, Kate Chappell (Dustin Oyler) and Wade Chappell. He was preceded in death by his parents, his brother-in-law, John Waldron, and sister-in-law, Mertie Milbury. At his request, no services will be held. Cards and remembrances of Allen may be sent to Mary Milbury, PO Box 461, Aurora, UT 84620. In lieu of flowers, donations in Allen's name may be sent to the Rocky Mountain Chapter of the American Truck Historical Society, a nonprofit 501(C)3 organization, c/o Art Vanderlinden, 2296 Surrey Rd. Taylorsville, UT, 84129. Donations are tax-deductible.