Early Life

Born in the Bronx, Allen attended Peter Stuyvesant High School in New York City. With his proficiency in mathematics and technology combined with his superior drafting skills, Allen originally planned to be an architectural designer. Life, however, took him in another direction. In 1951 he enlisted in the Navy during the Korean War and served aboard the USS New Jersey and later the USS Des Moines.

Business Career

Returning to civilian life, Allen moved to Hollywood, Florida and immediately entered the steel business. He had a successful career importing and distributing steel and steel products for over 34-years – to the extent that he assisted in the creation of the Belgium shipping line to ship steel worldwide. When he sold his steel business in 1980, he then formed a Registered Investment Fund specializing in the acquisition and management of tax lien certificates. He continued his professional life as a consultant in the steel industry and later became a Licensed Registered Investment Advisor for private clients.

Always attracted to advancing his business acumen in new and varied ways, Allen successfully ventured into commercial real estate, started an apple farm, established a small charitable foundation, and for ten years managed Gordon Realty Partners, a family partnership he shared with his daughter Robin, his son Brian, and his seven grandchildren: Annie, Allison, Sydney, Meg, Molly, Sarah, and Louis.

Allen received many honors and awards during his career. In 1968, he became a 32nd Degree Scottish Rite Mason. In 1973, he was knighted as a Chevalier in the Order of the Crown by King Baudouin of Belgium. In 1979, he was appointed as a Construction Arbitrator for the American Arbitration Association. He also served on the boards of several large banks in south Florida, including First National Bank of Hollywood, S.E. Bank of Miami, and Pan American Bank of Miami.

The Athlete

In addition to his business activities, Allen maintained a keen interest in athletics. He trained to be a marathon runner and from 1964 to 1985 he competed in 19 marathons, including participating twice in the Boston Marathon and three times in the New York City Marathon. Over the course of his running career he accumulated over 36,000 track miles, and was one of the original participants in the aerobic studies conducted at the Cooper Clinic in Dallas, Texas.

The Artist

Throughout his active business career Allen continued his creative process by keeping a sketchbook while traveling. When home, he experimented with different drawing and illustration mediums, drafting equipment, and woodworking. He favored sketching, integrating the elements of composition and design by line, texture, form and space with his photographic memory.

His original love of geometry and three-dimensional thinking prompted him in 2002 to start sculpting. He began working mostly in clay, but given his affinity for steel, he soon was experimenting with sculpting in metal. He especially enjoyed working with steel as an art form, as he understood the attributes and composition of steel on many levels. He attended workshops in welding and advanced metal sculpture (including classes with David Nourot at the Mendocino Art Center and Wylie Dawes in Lake Worth, FL.). He then traveled to visit the studios of other metal sculptors for advice in setting up his own studio.

In 2006 Allen moved to Santa Fe, New Mexico with his second wife, Edyne and opened A.G. Royce Studio. They worked together in their studio/gallery combining Allen’s knowledge of steel and welding skills with Edyne assisting in design concept, color and patina. That same year Allen met the internationally known metal sculptor Richard Yaski, while visiting his Shibui Sculpture Garden and Studio in Little River, California. After some private instruction, in May, 2007 Allen was invited to apprentice with Yaski for one month.

From 2007 until his premature death from cancer in 2012, Allen continued to work at a conscious approach to his art. His work consists of large and small, free standing, metal sculptures made from combining scrap metals, new & recycled steel and applying custom patinas or powdercoat. Both in his Santa Fe studio and in his home studio by the Pacific Ocean in Brookings, Oregon, he designed and created over 25 outdoor metal sculptures and his Sun Luck Gongs project produced over 50 one-of-a-kind gongs.

Allen was an eternal student, always ready to experience, learn and understand more about his art and life. In addition to his love of geometry, aboriginal, and archaeological influences, his inspiration in metal sculpting came from David Smith, Mark di Suvero, Tal Streeter, Menashe Kadishman and Louise Nevelson.

Spirituality

Since early life Allen was interested, first in Judaism, and later in the core essence of all religions that lead to self-improvement, inner peace and universal values. After many years of meditating, in addition to attending seminars and workshops, Allen became increasingly attracted to Tibetan Buddhism, which he thoughtfully studied in his later years.

Allen thoroughly appreciated and was actively engaged in his role as a gentleman, provider, husband, father, grandfather, brother, uncle, as well as a trusted advisor, mentor, and loyal friend.

In Allen’s last written message to friends and family he wrote this communiqué which concluded with, “I am quite happy with, and extremely satisfied by, the experiences I have had the good fortune to have enjoyed during my lifetime. Please keep me in your thoughts in a very positive manner and recite a prayer for me whenever you might think of me. Thanks from the bottom of my heart for sharing your love and kindness with me, and my family, and be assured that you will remain in my thoughts and prayers forever.”