Allan Judson

A resident of Chambersburg since 1961, and of Menno Haven since early 2005, Allan Judson died on July 17, 2023.  

Born in Newark, NJ, on March 1, 1929, Allan grew up in nearby Montclair, NJ.  In 1950 he graduated from Lehigh University with a major in English Literature.  Following military service and then, for some months, as a civilian federal government employee, in 1955 he began graduate-school studies in History at Harvard University.  

During his time in the Army, one day he was one of the hundreds of servicemen stationed in the Washington, DC, area who lined the route of the parade held during Pres. Eisenhower’s first inauguration.  In more challenging duty while in that area he served as a foreign-language translator and authored, for use within the federal government, what was the first Vietnamese-to-English translation and grammar manual, together with an accompanying Glossary.

Also while there, Allan met Lea, with whom, following their wedding in 1955, he shared his life for a bit over sixty-three years.

In 1961 he became a member of the faculty of Wilson College, where he was a member of the History Department and Director of the interdisciplinary American Civilization Program.  During his years at Wilson he served on various committees, one of which, over several years, provided frequent, welcome opportunity to work together with students to address matters affecting their campus life.  One year, in recognition of his contributions in and out of the classroom, he received the Olive White Garvey Prize, which is awarded to a member of the faculty.  He also served as Secretary of the Wilson College Chapter of Phi Beta Kappa.  

Following his years at Wilson, for many years he performed various tasks — especially in estate administration and in real estate matters — for a Chambersburg law firm, namely the present Walker & Spang office and its predecessors.

He was active in the Chambersburg community in a number of different ways.  For several years he was a member of — and in some years the President of — the Board of Coyle Free Library, and likewise of the former Franklin/Fulton County Drug and Alcohol Abuse Council.  He had been an officer of the Meadowbrook Homeowners’ Association, and served with the former CONTACT-Chambersburg telephone ministry, on the phone and, for a while, also as a member of its Board.  More recently, also for many years, he took great pleasure in serving in a variety of capacities with Habitat for Humanity of Franklin County, in some years as a member of its Board, but especially as liaison with persons with whom Habitat was sharing in the building of their new home.

For many years and at the time of his death he was a member of St. John’s United Church of Christ, Chambersburg, where he was an Elder and in some years, a Deacon.  In the mid-1980’s, he served a term as President of the Consistory and the congregation.  In some years he shared teaching Sunday School classes and, in several summers, was a counselor at St. John’s Camp.  He served on various committees and councils of the congregation, including the Outreach Council, a Pastoral Search Committee, and the special Task Force charged with formulating “Safe Church” policies and procedures.  He particularly enjoyed being, in several years, one of the St. John’s Summer Singers.  

Allan was predeceased in 2018 by his wife, Lea, and in 2019 by his brother, Donald Judson.  He is survived by his sister-in-law, Jean Judson, of Elmhurst, IL; by his brother-in-law, Dr. Manus Spanier, of Prescott, AZ; and by a number of nephews and nieces.  

A memorial service will be held on August 2nd at 2 PM at St. John’s United Church of Christ with Pastor Caroline Saxton officiating.   Interment at Lincoln Cemetery will be private and at the convenience of the family.  Kelso-Cornelius Funeral Home, Ltd., Chambersburg has been entrusted with conducting the services.

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