Richard Redington Allen, 78, of Wayland, formerly of Belmont, passed away from dementia on January 22, 2025.

Born on May 27, 1946, in Buffalo, New York, he was the son of Jean (Aspinwall) Allen and Roy Duke Allen.

Richard is survived by his wife Nancy (Schuster) Allen; identical twin brother Robert Vreeland Allen, Mooresville, NC; sister Barbara Jean Allen, Cambridge, MA; son Seth Cormack Allen and grandson Hayato of Yokohama, Japan; daughter Laura Jean Allen; daughter Emily Margaret Allen and son-in-law Joshua Marmor, grandchildren Sophia, Aubrey, and Max Marmor, Natick, MA.

Richard graduated from Colgate University in 1968 with a BA in English. He briefly pursued a career as a high school English teacher in Kenmore, NY before being drafted. As a Conscientious Objector, he fulfilled his service to the country by working and living at Hillside Children's Center in Rochester, NY, a residential home for children in need. This transformative experience shaped his lifelong commitment to working with young people, eventually leading him and his wife to become foster and adoptive parents.

In 1973, Richard moved to Boston, where he earned an MA from Boston University. He dedicated his career to Special Education at Belmont High School, where he celebrated the potential and achievements of every student he worked with. His love of learning and tireless dedication to his students over decades was so vital to many children and their families.

Friends and family admired his relentless curiosity, which drove a lifelong love of discovery: travel, reading, history, exploration, and creativity.

Dick loved spending time with those he loved, hiking outdoors, cooking and entertaining, and sharing time at family homes in Maine, where he could be found often paddling the Sheepscot River or hiking in Acadia National Park. An avid reader, he followed his wide-ranging interests through everything from AP physics and chemistry textbooks to the works of Hawthorne, Emerson, and Anthony Trollope.

He delighted in besting the New York Times crossword and had a deep appreciation for architecture and historic homes — even owning and caring for several dating from 1793 to 1959. His travels took him across Europe repeatedly, including to France, Italy, Spain, and the UK.

Above all, he'll be remembered for building futures, both in his own remarkable family and in the many he guided as an educator.

Relatives and friends are invited to celebrate Dick's life during visiting hours on Saturday, February 8th from 2 to 5 pm at the Dee Funeral Home, 27 Bedford Street, Concord Center.

In lieu of flowers, gifts in his memory may be made to The Trustees of Reservations .

Arrangements are entrusted to Dee Funeral Home & Cremation Service of Concord.