James Allen Rench

J. Allen Rench, 64, of Rochester, passed away unexpectedly on Thursday, October 22, 2020 at his home. Allen was born September 6, 1956 in Tulsa, Oklahoma to Robert and Mary (McCormick) Rench. He attended Bell Jr. High School, was a 1974 graduate of Will Rogers High School in Tulsa and went on to obtain his degree in engineering/computer science from Oklahoma State University in 1979. On March 20, 1993, in Arlington, TX, Allen married Dianne Marks. Allen grew up among the Indian Nations and was very involved with the Pawnee Indians. He was very active over the years with the Boy Scouts of America, receiving his Eagle Scout rank as a youth, he went on to serve as Cub Master and Scout Master of Pack 178 in Grand Prairie, TX, Troop 591 in Arlington, TX, scout leader of 498 in Rochester, MN and Scout Master of 29 and 98 in Rochester, MN. Allen was also a Girl Scout leader and camp dad for Rainbow Roads Council, Grand Prairie, TX. He was a member of the Order of the Arrow, alumni and past president of the Charles L. Sommers Canoe Base Alumni Association, and received the George D. Hedrick Volunteer Service Award. Allen was a member of Autumn Ridge Church in Rochester, MN, where he was also very active in men's Bible study. While he was in Arlington, TX, Allen also was a children's Sunday school teacher and Bible study teacher at St. Andrews United Methodist Church. He and Dianne also opened up their home over the past 20 years hosting AFS and YFU exchange students, building relationships all over the world. Allen was an avid sportsman and had a love of teaching youth outdoor skills, especially canoeing and paddling. He was an avid paddler with the paddle name of the Pink Panther. Allen was always building something to make it better, he enjoyed hunting and took pride in being a pit master. He was a music enthusiast, and enjoyed all genres of music. He built jukeboxes and even played the violin. Allen had a candid personality, was kind, thoughtful and always put others first. He loved to laugh, was a master of dad jokes and took great pride in making connections with people and keeping people connected. Allen also loved traveling, antique MG cars, scuba diving and had an interest in flight aviation. Allen always had a smile on his face and an optimistic approach to life. He was a great husband, father, grandfather and brother. Allen is survived by his loving wife of 27 years, Dianne; children, Nick (Jamie) of Oklahoma City, OK, Jamie (Greg) Roth of Cincinnati, OH, Jayna (Brandon) Miller of Lawton, MI, Quentin of Rochester, Tate of St. Paul and Ken (Jennie) Drummond of Cincinnati, OH; grandchildren, Brayden and Serenity Drummond, Ava, Ella and Lila Rench, Adalyn and Ariana Miller; brother, Robert (Gail) Rench; mother-in-law, Barbara Marks and numerous nieces, nephews, cousins and a host of other family and friends. Allen was preceded in death by his infant son, Andrew Rench; mother, Mary Rench Petree; father, Robert J. Rench; infant sister, Barbara Rench and by his father-in-law, Richard Marks. Memorial services will be held in Rochester, MN, Tulsa, OK and Arlington, TX at later dates. Memorial contributions made be made to Deer Lake Canada Church Planting in care of Autumn Ridge Church, 3611 Salem Rd. SW, Rochester, MN 55902 or to the Charles L. Sommers Alumni Association, P.O. Box 428, Ely, MN 55731. Ranfranz and Vine Funeral Home is honored to be serving the Rench family; to share a special memory or condolence please visit www.ranfranzandvinefh.com