CASCO — Robert Freeman Allen, 49, died suddenly at his home on Nov. 20, 2013.

Born in Massachusetts, he was the son of the late Janet Doris (Bedley) and the late William Reed Allen Sr. Bob spent his childhood in Reading, Mass., with his seven siblings. He attended Reading Memorial High School, where he met his beloved wife, Nancy (Lento) Allen. The couple married in 1985 and resided in various Massachusetts towns including Leominster, Winchendon and Westford.

Bob worked as a caseworker at Stetson School for Boys and Minuteman Arc for Human Services until he left the workforce to become a full-time dad. He devoted his time to raising the couple’s four boys, Joshua Freeman Allen, Reed Francis Allen, Timothy David Allen and Shawn Robert Allen; chauffeuring them to activities, helping them with homework, and generally containing the chaos. The family moved to Casco in 2010.

For Bob, giving and helping others, especially children, was a way of life. Carefree, warm and outgoing, he could strike a talk with a stranger and then find himself engaged in hours of conversation. He always had time for whoever needed his help. Bob enjoyed cooking, traveling, camping, gaming and spending time with his family. Since moving to Casco, Bob volunteered full-time at Poland Spring Academy in Poland, where he applied his culinary skills to preparing a weekly meal for the students and staff, ran the food bank, and assisted in whatever was needed, from hauling trash to occasional substitute teaching. It was here that he formed an once-in-a-lifetime friendship with Gary Howard.

In addition to his sons and wife, he is survived by seven siblings, Janet Moroney, JoAnne Oram, Kathy Whittaker, Joyce Nakhoul, Jennifer Piantedosi, William Reed Allen Jr. and Cynthia Grant; many nieces and nephews; great-nieces and nephews; in-laws; and aunts and uncles.

Viewing hours were held on Monday, Nov. 25 at Hall Funeral Home, 165 Quaker Ridge Road, Casco. A celebration of life gathering and light lunch followed immediately after at Poland Spring Academy, 14 Hope Springs Drive, Poland. Per Bob’s wishes, requested attire at all services was jeans and sneakers (no suits or ties).

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in Bob’s memory to Nikki’s Fund, a scholarship fund established by Bob and his wife in memory of their late niece, Kelsea Nicole Lento. Donations may be mailed to: Poland Spring Academy, 14 Hope Springs Dr., Poland, ME 04274. Checks may be made out to Poland Spring Academy, a 501(c)3 nonprofit.