Arly Harrison Allen died peacefully on January 7, 2026, surrounded by family. He was 87 years old. Born in Lawrence, August 23, 1938, Arly was the eldest of seven siblings (Arly, Diane, Elaine, Dede, Rand, Lenore, and Barbara) born to Harold E. Allen and Barbara Jane Allen.
Arly attended Pinkney grade school in Lawrence and Pembroke Country Day High School in Kansas City, where he was active in drama, sang with the Glee Club, and served as a Yell Leader at sports events. After graduating in 1956, he attended the University of Kansas, joined Sigma Chi fraternity, and earned a BA in English (1960) and an MA in Medieval History (1963). He continued his studies at the University of Toronto and, as a Fulbright scholar, studied in Perugia, Italy. Arly briefly served as an instructor of Western Civilization and Medieval History at the University of Kansas. He had almost finished his PhD in Medieval History—only the dissertation remained—when he started working at his family’s business, the Allen Press. At KU, Arly met Constance Marlatt Huested, and they married at Gibson Island’s Chapel of St. Christopher by the Sea on June 23, 1962.
Harold Allen founded The Allen Press in 1935, and with Arly leading from 1971 to 1993, it achieved national and international acclaim for scientific publishing. Arly placed a strong emphasis on superior imagery and continuously explored innovative methods to assist small and medium-sized scholarly societies. In 1977, he published Steps Towards Better Scientific Illustrations. He expanded journal printing, developed nonprofit society services, and participated in scientific organizations. Arly was a founding member of the Society for Scholarly Publishing and the Council of Biology Editors (CBE), speaking at international events and serving as CBE President from 1989 to 1990. He retired from Allen Press in 1993 and established Sheridan Electronic Systems, an online service provider for academics in Baltimore, MD.
Arly enthusiastically supported KU sports and the Kansas City Chiefs. He also loved golf, and on one occasion, he amazed his friends by scoring a hole-in-one with an eight iron on Orchard’s eighth hole.
After retiring, Arly focused on medieval history and boxing. He joined the International Boxing Research Organization and published works such as Jess Willard: Heavyweight Champion of the World (1915-1919), The Beginning of Boxing in Britain, 1300-1700, and Wrestling in Medieval England.
Arly belonged to The Old & New Club and the Rotary Club of Lawrence, served as a deacon at Oxford OH Presbyterian Church, and was a Master Gardener. His daughter recalls him mowing the lawn in dress pants while singing Gilbert & Sullivan tunes.
Arly’s wife Constance, his parents Harold and Barbara Jane, and his sisters Elaine Forman and Diane Bannen all passed away before him. He is survived by his son, Arly Hedrick Allen of Lawrence, KS; his daughter, Patience Allen (partner Frode Linna) of Oslo, Norway; his sisters, Dede Dresser, Lenore Allen, and Barbara Wasson; his brother, Gorden Rand Allen; as well as numerous nieces and nephews, and Johanna Reinhart of Oxford, OH.
Visitation will be at Rumsey-Yost Funeral Home at 2pm on Saturday, January 24, 2026, followed by a funeral service at 3pm. The family, guests and friends are welcome to raise a glass to Arly at the family home following the service. A private burial will take place at the Allen family gravesite, Oak Hill Cemetery on a future date.
The family suggests memorial donations to the Lawrence Humane Society in lieu of flowers, 1805 E 19th St, Lawrence, KS 66046 or www.lawrencehumane.org/donate/
I feel so lucky to have had Arly as my uncle. I loved his big, boisterous laugh, his keen intellect, and his appreciation for spirited conversations. I admired his wonderful home, full of medieval history books and art, and cherished Easter egg hunts in his perfect backyard. Sending so much love to Hedrick and Patience, as well as my whole wonderful Allen family.
I came to know Arly over the last several years through Arly’s niece Marianne. Whenever Marianne and I returned to Lawrence, we would drop in on Arly and inevitably find him in front of his laptop with a mid afternoon treat and ever present cranberry juice. Though his voice varied in strength, he was always game for conversation, usually with an impish smile and a thoughtful observation. I greatly enjoyed talking with Arly about boxing, football, history and current events. He always had a smile on his face, a bag of candy nearby, and a YouTube video pulled up. Hedrick and Patience, I hope the coming days are filled with memories of a life well lived and a peace well earned. Best, Rich
It was a great pleasure to serve Arly! I’ll never forget the day we ran out of milk and someone gave him a glass of buttermilk. It was game on as he drank a quart a day!! He loved it and Hedrick would help keep him supplied along with many other items of Arlys food interest! He will be missed! Such a sweet laughter came from him and his intense spirit for his sports!!
I adored Arly. We didn’t always see eye to eye in terms of politics, but I always knew he was considering what was best for his fellow man. He was a gracious human often asking me which benevolent service agencies in town were worthy of a donation. I remember when Hedrick was working as a school bus driver for kids with special needs, Arly gave Hedrick $100 to give to a boy’s parent after Hedrick had told us that a boy was upset because he had no socks. When my son, Fletcher, was being homeschooled, Arly stepped up to fill the shoes of a scholastic troubadour, teaching him how to build and light fires so that they could then share in a marshmallow roast all while listening to Woody Guthrie. He would go into his library and pull out one of his well curated books to either recite from, or lend to Fletcher because it matched what he was interested in.
I will miss the love that poured out of Arly with such terrific zeal. God speed, Arly, on the back of that great speckled bird.
I remember many wonderful things about Arly, especially from my childhood. Top of the list was his sense of humor and his laugh, which filled any room he was in. When I went off to college, he told me to first get my work done and then make time for fun, so I could enjoy it while others were still working (and procrastinating). Love to Hedrick and Patience and all the family and friends who mourn Arly.
Arly was a funny and kind guy. He loved his ginger ale and cranberry juice. He was one of my favorites to care for. I will miss him and his soft voice telling me to get a couple pieces of chocolate candy for helping him out. I send my condolences to all of you in your time of need.
They say you can tell the character of a person by following that individual around a golf course. I spent hundreds of hours with Arly on golf courses. Arly played the ball where it lay and he scored every stroke taken. Honesty and integrity…that was Arly. He did not use a foot wedge to gain advantage on or off the golf course.
A few years ago, I stood on a tee box and watched Arly hit a golf ball that proceeded to drop in the cup, a hole in one. Arly had many aces or firsts in his life. It was my honor to observe a number of those successes. Thank you, Arly. God bless Arly and his family.
Thank you for contacting me, Patience. Arly, Con and I had some good conversations and good laughs in days gone by. I shall remember him fondly. Kenneth
He made such a beautiful mark on my childhood: the love of learning and understanding. He is and always will remain “Mr.” Allen to me, his memory is among my blessings. Love to Patience and Hedrick and all who mourn his passing.