Martin J. Allen, Jr.

Martin Joseph Allen, Jr. of Grand Rapids, beloved husband, father, grandfather and friend. He is survived by Susan (Muir) Allen, his wife and best friend of over 60 years, their 3 children: Michael (Amy) Allen, Stephen (Maria) Allen, Kathleen (Robert) Olin, their 6 grandchildren: Jaret (Carly), Kyra and Alex Allen and Jake, Sydney and Ty Olin, and many close relatives. He was lovingly tended to by his caregiver Mel Tar. He was preceded in death by his parents Martin and Zita Allen and sister Zita Lewis. Marty was born on April 16, 1936 in Grand Rapids. He was passionate about his strong Catholic faith and education as evidenced by attending St. Stephen School, Catholic Central High School (Class of ‘54) and the University of Notre Dame (B.S. 1958) where he was senior football manager. Following graduation, Marty served from 1958 to 1960 in the United States Navy and received his Honorable Discharge as a Lieutenant Commander from the U.S. Naval Reserve in 1973.  He also received an M.B.A. from Michigan State University in 1962 and Honorary Doctor degrees from Aquinas College and Grand Valley State University. 

Marty started his career as product manager of Baxter Laboratories, Inc. in Morton Grove, Illinois, but after 4 years which included his greatest life accomplishment - his marriage to Sue in 1965 – he and Sue moved back home to Grand Rapids in 1966. There he began his banking career which lasted for the next 30+ years in various senior leadership positions at Old Kent Bank and Financial Corporation as well as numerous national banking organizations, including as President of the American Bankers Bank Marketing Association. 

Not only was Marty committed to Old Kent and his family, but he was also committed to his alma maters and his community as demonstrated by his involvement in numerous organizations and the honors he received as a result of that commitment.  He was a lifetime member of St. Stephen parish and remained deeply involved with Catholic Central, but everyone who knew Marty knew his heart was never far from Notre Dame and the strong bonds he had with both the institution, including as past President and Trustee Emeritus of the National Monogram Club, and his close friends, especially in the Athletic Department. In recognition of his loyalty, Notre Dame honored Marty with various awards including the University of Notre Dame Exemplar Award in 1996, the National Alumni Association Harvey Foster Award in 1997 and the “Moose” Krause Distinguished Service Award in 2013.

Marty’s diverse community service included: Chairman (1985-2006) and Chairman Emeritus and Lifetime Member of the Board of Trustees of the Gerald R. Ford Presidential Foundation, Co-Founder of the River Bank Run (Est. 1978), Grand Action Executive Committee, Grand Rapids Sports Hall of Fame (Trustee), Aquinas College (Trustee Emeritus), United Way and Grand Rapids Symphony (Director) and a member of the Improvement Association. Marty was recognized for his service through various awards and honors including being awarded a Commendation from the President of the United States for exceptional service to others in 1975, inducted into the American Bankers Association Bank Marketing Hall of Fame in 1996 and the recipient of the Junior Achievement Edward J. Frey, Sr. Distinguished Achievement Award in 2007, the Michigan Sports Hall of Fame Gerald R. Ford Lifetime Achievement Award in 2009, the Jay & Betty Van Andel Lifetime Achievement Award in 2012 and the Catholic Central High School Distinguished Alumni Award in 2018.

Marty’s deep commitment to his family, faith and service to others allowed him to answer regularly in the affirmative the daily question he asked himself, “Did I give more than I took today?” Marty would be the first one to say he was blessed with so much including his family, friends, faith and the many honors and accolades bestowed on him simply for just doing the right thing . . . giving of himself and giving back. 

Marty followed his fondness for sports throughout his life, attending Notre Dame games as well as his children and grandchildren’s games and meets with Sue by his side. Marty will be deeply missed by his family, friends and the many people and communities to which he dedicated so much of his life. 

The Mass of Christian Burial will be held at St. Stephen Catholic Church on Friday, June 12th at 11:00AM. Father Mark Przybysz will be the celebrant. Visitation will be held at Metcalf & Jonkhoff Funeral Service on Thursday, June 11th from 4:00-7:00PM and at 10:00AM at St. Stephen prior to the service. In lieu of flowers, the family asks that you consider a donation to The Gerald R. Ford Presidential Foundation, The Rockne Athletics Fund which benefits the Notre Dame Monogram Club (link specific to the memory of Marty) or a charity of your choice in Marty’s memory.

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