Commander Kelly: Paul Allen RIP

Paul Allen RIP

Paul Allen died yesterday at age 65 of complications from Hodgkin's lymphoma. Tributes have been paid to him by Bill Gates and many others in the technology world. Allen was a co-founder of Microsoft which revolutionized the computer world. He made a vast fortune and was, by all accounts, enormously generous.

I regret that I never met Allen so I do not have any personal recollections to share about the man. But he touched my life and lives of millions around the world and particularly those in the Northwest.

Superbowl 2013

Allen was a son of the Northwest who had a profound beneficial influence on his local community. He owned the Portland Trailblazers and the Seattle Seahawks. He seemed to derive real joy from his personal wealth -- he would have the Trailblazers practice at his home in Seattle. A lover of music, he liked performing at Seahawks Christmas parties. As owner of the Seahawks he guided them to three Superbowls, winning their first (and only thus far) in 2013 over the Denver Broncos (americanconservativeinlondon.blogspot.com/2014/02/super-bowl-xlviii.html). Like so many Seahawk fans, I appreciate his wise stewardship of the Seahawks organization.

Allen's father was a World War II US Army veteran who served in the Normandy campaign. Allen believed that it is important to preserve history for future generations. He built the Flying Heritage and Combat Armor Museum in Everett, Washington which has an amazing collection of flyable World War II aircraft. In the summer months these incredible warbirds take to the air to recreate historic chapters such as the Battle of Britain.

I salute Paul Allen, not merely for his undoubted entrepreneurial skill, but for his generous devotion to History.

Here are my past blogs on Allen's FHCAM...

americanconservativeinlondon.blogspot.com/2017/07/flying-heritage-skyfest.html

www.blogger.com/blogger.g?blogID=4122629330054677829#editor/target=post;postID=7138541776093913920;onPublishedMenu=allposts;onClosedMenu=allposts;postNum=4;src=link

americanconservativeinlondon.blogspot.com/2014/04/luftwaffe-acessupermen.html

www.azamaraclubcruises.com/voyage/pr14t148/14-night-western-pursuit-voyage?cid=aza_prom_b_ref_aza_oth_christopher_kelly_11062018