Allen G. Wilson, 92, died peacefully at his home on Friday, October 25, 2013, in Hot Springs, SD. He was born on May 6, 1921, in Hot Springs to Joyce (Case) and Clifford Wilson and grew up there during the Great Depression. A very active teenager, he enjoyed camping, hiking and trout fishing in the Black Hills, and he became one of the town's first Eagle Scouts. In high school, he participated in athletics and several other extracurricular activities. After graduating as class valedictorian in 1939, Allen enrolled at the University of South Dakota.

On Christmas Day in 1942, he married Barbara Bimer, his high school sweetheart. Shortly thereafter, he graduated from the University with honors and was inducted into the U. S. Army. After completing the Infantry Officers' Candidate School and assignments on the West Coast, Allen was sent overseas to fight in World War II. He served in Algeria, Italy, and Austria. During the Italian campaign, he was a platoon leader and forward observer for a Cannon Company in the 91st Infantry Division. Seeing considerable action in that campaign, he was awarded a Bronze Star Medal for heroic achievement and an Oak Leaf Cluster for meritorious service in combat.

When the war was over, Allen returned to Hot Springs and worked as the hospital Registrar at the Veteran's Administration Center. In the fall of 1948, he enrolled in the University of Minnesota Law School. He graduated from that institution in 1951 and returned to Hot Springs to join his father's law practice.

Allen continued practicing law until retiring in 1986, when the Wilson Law Office had existed for exactly 100 years. During his legal career, he was also actively engaged in the Hot Springs community. He was a long-time member of the United Churches, where he sang in the choir and taught Sunday school to both children and adults. He was a member of the Lions' Club, Elks Lodge No. 1751, Masonic Lodge, and the VFW. He gave bridge lessons for several years, where he explained the game's finer points to beginners and more advanced players. He was an avid golfer and loyal NFL football fan.

Allen had a long and successful retirement. Barbara and he became frequent travelers, taking numerous international trips to far-flung destinations. They visited every continent except Antarctica, and they returned to their favorite foreign countries on multiple occasions. For the past 27 years, they maintained two primary residences—the family home in Hot Springs and a condominium in Scottsdale, AZ. They also enjoyed visiting their cabin in Custer State Park, which had been in the family since 1940. In addition to travel, Allen continued to play golf, bridge, and several other card games. Last December, Barbara and he celebrated their 70th wedding anniversary in Minnesota.

Throughout his life, Allen was known for his integrity, intelligence, sense of purpose, generosity, and sense of humor. He treated all people with fairness and respect. He was a loving husband, father, grandfather, and great-grandfather. Although a person of firm convictions, he never took himself too seriously or attempted to force his views onto others. He had a great zest for life and lived it to the fullest. Phil Saunders, his late brother-in-law, described him this way: "That Al, damn fine lawyer, damn fine man."
Survivors include his wife Barbara, Hot Springs; daughter, Suzan Spates and husband, Kenneth, Chattanooga, TN; daughter, Sally Balitsaris and husband, Paul, Knoxville, TN; son, Stephen and wife, Kristine, Roseville, MN; daughter, Shelley Campbell and husband, Mark, Stillwater, MN; eleven grandchildren; four great-grandchildren; and his many relatives and friends.

He was preceded in death by his parents and his sisters Lois Saunders and Dorothy Fowler.

A memorial celebration was held on October 28 at United Churches and the Southern Hills Golf Course. Inurnment will be at Black Hills National Cemetery at a later date.

A memorial has been established in Allen's name to benefit the United Churches or the Southern Hills Golf Course.