ALLEN BURTON PANNELL

A 48 year resident of Audubon, PA, Allen B. Pannell, 91, died on May 31, 2021 at Dock Woods, Landsdale, PA. Born in Summit, NJ, Feb. 5, 1930, he was the son of the late Ronald and Elizabeth (Burton) Pannell. He was educated at Ridgewood (NJ) High School, Gettysburg College and Fairleigh Dickinson University.

At Gettysburg College, Allen was a member of Tau Kappa Epsilon Fraternity, serving as the Chapter President. He was elected to the National Society of Scabbard and Blade while a Cadet Major in the Reserve Officers Training Corps. He completed Reserve Officer Training at Fort Meade, Maryland in 1950.

A veteran of the Korean War, Allen served in the Intelligence and Reconnaissance Platoon, 3rd Battalion Headquarters, 21st Regiment, 24th Infantry Division. Although not an officer, his piano playing skills gave him entrance to the Officers Club. In 1953, he was evacuated from the Koje-do prison camp to the Valley Forge Army Hospital at Phoenixville, PA. He was awarded the United Nations Medal, the Republic of Korea Meritorious Unit Citation, the Combat Infantryman Badge and the Korean Service Medal with The Bronze Battle Star.

From 1957 to 1969, Allen was an executive with the Boy Scouts of America. He was the Director of Education, Valley Forge Council and created the Fawn Run Outpost Camp at Resica Falls in the Poconos, serving as its first director. He developed the McLean Training Center at Delmont, Green Lane, PA. In 1966, he was named a Professional Training Fellow, by the National Council BSA.

In 1969, Allen became Campaign Director for United Community Services of Bucks County, Inc. For 26 years, he held United Way positions in Philadelphia and the region. From 1992 to 1994, he chaired the Professional Advisory Committee of the Associated United Ways of Delaware, Pennsylvania and New Jersey. In 1995, he retired as President and CEO of the United Way of Chester County. During his United Way tenure, the annual campaigns with which he was affiliated produced over 330 million dollars for human health and social service programs.

A Rotarian and a member of Upper Darby, Fairless Hills, Norristown and Phoenixville Clubs, Allen was Vice President of the Norristown Club in 1979-80, and President of the Phoenixville Club in 1990-91. He and his wife, Tina, were recognized as Paul Harris Fellows in 1990 by Rotary International.

An Elder and Deacon at the Lower Providence Presbyterian Church, he was the local chair of the National Presbyterian Fifty Million Fund and manager of the Church In The Nineties Capital Campaign. With his wife, he co-directed Vacation Bible School, the Golden Age Program and Couples Club.

A semi-professional, Allen performed as "Burnell The Magician, The Man Who Makes Time Fly". He was a member of the American Society of Magicians and in 1991 was inducted into the Order of Merlin by the late Harry Blackstone, Jr. at the Baltimore Convention of the International Brotherhood of Magicians. He presented his act in Europe, the Far East, Canada and throughout the United States.

In retirement, Allen kept busy. First he served as Court Crier for the Hon. Judge William T. Nicholas in the Court of Common Pleas, Montgomery County Court House. And later, when Judge Nicholas retired, he moved to the court of the Hon. Judge Carolyn Carluccio until 2013. In addition, he created and sold what he called MocoLotives, small railroad engines made from bits and pieces of metal he found on the ground as he walked. He had much success at craft fairs and was finally validated as an artist.

He is survived by his wife of 60 years, Tina Hempenius Pannell; four daughters, Cornelia Pannell of King of Prussia, Elizabeth Pannell of King of Prussia, Katherine Pannell and her husband David Reavy of Larchmont, NY, and Ellen Pannell of Philadelphia; seven grandchildren, Vincent, Gerrit, Grace and Marcel Roscioli of Philadelphia and Quinn, Cornelius, and Ellen Reavy of Larchmont; a brother, Glenn S. Pannell, Sr. and his wife Constance of Fort Worth, TX; two nephews and three nieces.

On September 25th there will be a memorial service at Lower Providence Presbyterian Church, 3050 West Ridge Pike, Norristown, PA. Visiting hour will start at 10 am followed by an 11 am service and luncheon for those who wish to stay.

Memorial contributions may be made to either Lower Providence Presbyterian Church, 3050 West Ridge Pike, Norristown, PA 19403 or to The Living Branches Benevolent Care Fund at https://livingbranches.org/donate/.