Taylor, Allen Marcus

Allen Marcus Taylor died peacefully on Feb. 9, 2012, at Horizon Hospice in Mequon, Wis. Services: 3 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 18, at North Shore Congregational Church, 7330 North Santa Monica Blvd., Fox Point, Wis. Private interment: Cedar Memorial Park Cemetery, Cedar Rapids.

Allen was born in Cedar Rapids, Iowa on Dec. 22, 1923. He served in the U.S. Marine Corps from 1942 to 1946, received his undergraduate degree from Princeton University in 1946, and his LLB from Yale Law School in 1949. He joined the law firm of Foley & Lardner in 1949, from which he retired in 1993 as a managing partner. Following his retirement he served as chairman of the Chipstone Foundation which supports American decorative arts of the Colonial period. He also served as chairman of the board of the Bradley Foundation from 2000 to 2002.

 Allen influenced the lives of many, building unique bonds of friendship with people in all walks of life. His selfless and forward-thinking leadership made him a valuable contributor to many organizations. Among them: the Medical Center of Southeastern Wisconsin, the UWM Foundation, Cardinal Stritch University, the Milwaukee Blood Center, the United Way, the Milwaukee Symphony Orchestra, the Boerner Botanical Gardens, the Milwaukee Art Museum, the Milwaukee Institute of Art and Design, the American Foreign Policy Council, and (as secretary and president) the Milwaukee Country Club.  In 2002, the Milwaukee School of Engineering awarded Allen an honorary doctorate for his service to the community.

 To his family and friends, Allen was a deeply affectionate and kind-spirited man with a quick and delightful sense of humor, a love of history and storytelling, and a uniquely charming style of communication, both oral and written.

 Allen fought a brave three-year battle with throat cancer, during the course of which he was blessed to have received treatment and support from many talented and caring individuals, specifically the dedicated staff on 3SW at Froedtert Hospital, and the devoted caregivers at Horizon Hospice in Mequon.

 Allen was preceded in death by his mother, Dorothy Bates Taylor; father, Robert Harmon Taylor; and daughter, Melanie Jean Taylor.

 He is survived by his wife, Marilyn L. Taylor; sons, Allen M. Taylor Jr. (Linda) of Marion, Iowa and R. Reed Taylor of Pittsburgh, Pa.; and his grandson, Jared A. Taylor of McAllen, Texas. Also surviving are his brother, Robert H. Taylor (Mary Susan) of Solon, Iowa; sisters, Marian Antin of Cedar Rapids and Nancy Gallagher (Richard) of Granville, Ohio; as well as many nieces, nephews, cousins and friends.

 He lived a full, long life and the positive impact he leaves behind will be felt for many, many years. He will be deeply missed and affectionately remembered.

 In lieu of flowers, memorials in Allen's name may be made to the charity of your choice.

 Published Feb. 12, 2012 in The Gazette