With family by his side, Allen George Salzer passed away peacefully in Shelton, Wash., on Oct. 21, 2016. He was 89.

From his birth on Jan. 11, 1927, to his passing, Allen embraced a full life of family, football, photography, woodworking, camping, boating, and music (especially harmonica).

He was born to George Henry Salzer and Grace (Runyan) Salzer in Tacoma, Wash., and grew up in Hoquiam, Wash.

He graduated from Hoquiam High School in 1945 and then served our country in the Army Transportation Corp. in World War II.

After the war, Allen attended Whitman College, where he met his wife of 65 years, Carol Bruce.

Allen earned his BA in Math from Whitman in 1951, and married Carol shortly thereafter.

Together they raised four children: Kathryn (Robert Hunter, deceased), Thomas (Janis), Sandra (Christopher Cook) and Eric (Heidi).

Allen worked for the Standard Oil Co. of California (Chevron) for 15 years.

He was posted in Idaho and Washington in the cities of Boise, Lewiston, Spokane, Seattle and Walla Walla.

He then started and ran a successful manufacturer’s representative business in Seattle.

Allen and Carol retired to Mason Lake in Grapeview, Wash., where he was an active member of the Mason Benson Club.

He was also a member of the Phi Delta Theta Fraternity and a 56-year member of the Masonic Lodges.

Allen is survived by his wife, Carol, his children, nine grandchildren and four great- grandchildren, and by his brother, David Salzer. He is predeceased by his brother, James Salzer.

A celebration of Allen’s life will be held at 11 a.m. on Saturday, Nov. 12, 2016 at the Mason Benson Center in Grapeview, Wash.

In lieu of flowers, the family suggests donations to the Alzheimer’s Association or to Mason County Fire District 5.