George L. Allen Sr.

George Leighton Allen Sr., 96 years old, passed away peacefully in his sleep on Friday morning, September 4, 2026, at Charter House in Rochester, MN. He was born in Colorado Springs, Colorado on July 2, 1930, minutes before his twin brother Phillip and grew up in Birmingham, Michigan. He met his wife Dorothy Hammett in 1946, and they married in Ann Arbor, Michigan on September 11, 1954. George attended the University of Michigan majoring in Chemistry and went on to finish medical school too in 1956. He joined the Medical Corp of the US Army at that time. He completed his internal medicine residency at Mayo Clinic in Rochester in 1962.

His career in the US Army and US Army Reserve started in 1952 as a 2nd Lieutenant and retired in 1990 at the rank of Brigadier General. Most of his active-duty time was spent in San Antonio, TX from 1962 - 1968 and serving in Vietnam from 1966-1967 at the 93rd Evacuation hospital in South Vietnam as the Chief of Medicine, Chief of Professional Services, and Deputy Commander of the hospital. Back in San Antonio, he served as Deputy Chief of the Department of Medicine at the Brooke Army Medical Center. While serving his country, he earned the Legion of Merit, Meritorious Service Medal, Bronze Star, and Army Commendation Medal.

George returned to Mayo Clinic in October of 1968 to assume a position as Consulting Staff in the Department of Rheumatology. He resigned his commission in the regular army and accepted a reserve commission in the US Army Reserve. Now in the reserves, he joined the 5501 US Army Hospital at Fort Snelling near St. Paul, MN. In 1978, George became commanding officer of the hospital until 1982. He recruited many physicians and other personnel from Mayo Clinic to join him in the army reserves.

While on Staff at Mayo Clinic, he advanced to the academic rank of associate professor (1977). Dr. Allen served as head of a Section of Rheumatology (1976-1984) and was director of the Mayo School of Health-Related Sciences (1985-1991). He had an interest in pediatric rheumatology and was given a joint appointment in the Department of Pediatrics.

George was a faithful Eagle Scout serving his scouting community throughout his life, George was always involved in Boy Scouts of America and now Scouting America. George became an Eagle Scout while World War II was ending (1945) and stayed involved as an adult leader throughout his life. He served as a Scoutmaster and Committee Chair of Troop 82 located at Zumbro Lutheran Church in Rochester. He became President of Gamehaven Council in Rochester, Mn. in the 1980's. Upon retiring from Mayo Clinic in 1996, he served at the Boy Scout national level in Area One and became the Chair of the Health and Safety Committee at the BSA National Headquarters in Dallas, TX. George received the highest award in Scouting, the "Silver Buffalo" in 2004 joining Charlie Mayo MD circa 1936 as the only recipients of this award in SE Minnesota.

George was also an active member of Rotary Club of Rochester

Married 72 years this week, George Sr and Dorothy Hammett raised five children and inspired 12 grandchildren and 16 great grandchildren. He was predeceased by his oldest son Ralph, twin brother Phillip, and older brother Frank. He is survived by his wife, Dorothy; children Jan (Ralph's widow), Ruth (Jeff) Ehler, Richard (Brigid), Frank (Kimberly), George Leighton Jr. (Esperanza), grandchildren Alex (Holly), Curtis (Jenna) Ehler, Justin (Michelle), Karen (Jeremy) Kuhns, Travis (Alexis), Ethan (Whitney), Nathan (Lauren), Jeremiah (Leah), Cora, Will, George L. III and Noah.

Memorial service will be held 11:00 AM Saturday, September 12, 2026 at Zumbro Lutheran Church, 624 3rd Avenue SW, Rochester MN. Visitation will be held from 10:00 AM to 11:00 AM Saturday at the church.

In Lieu of flowers, memorial gifts can be donated to Dr. George L. Allen Scholarship Endowment Fund. This fund will be used to provide scouting and camping opportunities to youth and adults who otherwise would not be able to participate in Scouting. Gamehaven Council at 511 Northern Hills Dr. NE Suite 2, Rochester, MN 55906

Ranfranz and Vine Funeral Home is honored to be serving the Allen family; to share a special memory or condolence, please visit www.ranfranzandvinefh.com