Allen Huntington Ford

Ford, Allen Huntington – July 29, 1928 – February 1, 2026

The son of Elizabeth Brooks Ford and David Knight Ford, Allen Huntington Ford died on February 1, 2026 at the age of 97. Born on July 29, 1928, Allen grew up in Shaker Heights with his brothers Amasa (Daisy, both deceased), David (Ann, both deceased), and Oliver (Sally, both deceased). He attended Shaker Heights public schools through ninth grade and then Phillips Exeter Academy from which he graduated in 1946. He enrolled at Yale University where he earned a B.A. in history, economics, and political science. After graduating in 1950, he enlisted in the U.S. Army and served in the Korean War. Upon his discharge, he returned to Cleveland and began his career. Earning a master’s degree in management at Case Institute of Technology in 1964 deepened his knowledge of business as did a certificate program in advanced management from Harvard University.

In 1954, Allen married Constance (Connie) Towson to whom he was happily wed for 51 years. They settled in Shaker Heights where they had three children: Hope, Sarah, and Jim. Family life centered around the yard where Allen tended his garden and built a patio for picnics and ice skating. Moving to Moreland Hills in 1962, Allen introduced new activities like exploring the woods and ravine. Hiking along the old interurban railroad tracks that ran behind the house in the ravine and discovering the nearby site of James Garfield’s log cabin inspired the family’s fascination with history. Travels expanded to other historic American sites including Jamestown and Williamsburg, Lexington and Concord, and Washington, D.C.  At home, Allen encouraged his family to participate in sports and cross-country ski in the Metroparks. Annual trips to Pointe au Baril, Ontario, Canada included fishing, sailing, and canoeing. Allen introduced several family traditions there: swimming before breakfast, reading aloud after lunch, and singing while washing dishes. In 1972, IngerWogn-Henriksen joined the family as a foreign exchange student and shared in the adventures.

Allen devoted his career to finance, first at Pickands Mather where he became Vice President of Finance, then Diamond Shamrock where he was Chief Financial Officer and President of the Biosciences Unit, and finally Standard Oil of Ohio from which he retired as Senior Vice President-Finance and Administration. He joined The Transaction Group as Senior Advisor for mergers and acquisitions. Early in his career, he became a trustee and President of Hill House and the Federation for Community Planning. He later served on corporate boards for Parker Hannifin Corporation, Ameritrust, Society Corporation, and Elwell-Parker Electric Company. He joined the boards of cultural and educational institutions such as the Western Reserve Historical Society, the Musical Arts Association (the Cleveland Orchestra), Case Western Reserve University, and University Circle Inc. Other non-profit boards included the Martha Holden Jennings Foundation, Laurel School, the Abington Foundation, and the Great Lakes Basin Conservancy.

As Connie’s health declined, they searched for a new home where she could receive the care she needed. Judson Manor served her well and, after she died in 2005, Allen stayed on benefitting from the community there and proximity to his favorite institutions. He researched family history, focusing on several ancestral branches who moved to the University Circle area in the mid-nineteenth century and wrote a book about their settlement called Three Families of the Connecticut Western Reserve.

In recent years, Allen required more care at Judson Manor. His family is deeply grateful to the staff on the second floor and thankful for the remarkable care he received. He is survived by his children Hope Murphy (Stephen), Sarah Whitener (Mark), Jim, and Inger Wogn-Henriksen (Thomas Hestvold); grandchildren Abigail Murphy (Joshua Johnston), Alyssa Murphy (Jarred Brown), Daniel Whitener (Eileen), Andrew Whitener (Katherine), and Benjamin Whitener (Chloe Peeples); and great-grandchildren Bronwyn and Juno Johnston, Arthur and Dora Brown, Henry and Jane Whitener, Lincoln and Mia Whitener, and Sophie Peeples.

A service is planned for Thursday, March 5 at 11:00 am at St. Paul’s Episcopal Church at 2747 Fairmount Boulevard in Cleveland Heights. Burial at Lake View Cemetery will be private. For those who wish to make donations in Allen’s name, his family suggests the Biomedical Engineering Department of Case Western Reserve University (Case Fund, 10605 Chester Avenue, #309, Cleveland, Ohio 44106 – please include“Support BME”), the Musical Arts Association (the Cleveland Orchestra – Severance Music Center, 11001 Euclid Avenue, Cleveland, Ohio 44106), or the Judson Foundation (2181 Ambleside Drive, Cleveland, Ohio 44106).