Allen Robert Vanwert, Sr.

Allen Robert VanWert (Allen Sr.), 73, of Throop, entered eternal rest on Saturday, April 19, at the Wilkes-Barre VA Medical Center. His widow, and angel on Earth, is the former Susan Sallom. The couple had been married since 1975.

Born in Scranton, he was the son of the late Harold and Doris Eppley VanWert. He was an Air Force Veteran and, before retirement, was a big rig truck driver for Roadway Express, where he earned an award for driving nearly two million miles accident-free. Before working for Roadway,
he had worked for GNB Battery Technologies, where he was responsible for grid casting with molten lead in room temperatures near 120 degrees F. In these roles, Allen Sr. showed unwavering dedication to his family as a father and husband.

Allen Sr. loved woodworking, having crafted Allen Jr's. electric guitar out of walnut hardwood, and several other items that saw a lifetime of use by Susan and his sons. These items included a dresser, a butcher block for the kitchen, a chest, and a bookshelf, among others. His son, Adam, was inspired by him to take up woodworking as a hobby. Allen Sr. also helped to build decks and a new studio floor for Allen Jr.

Allen Sr. also had an associate's degree in electronics and the curiosity of someone perpetually young at heart. With that curiosity and passion for learning, he also showed a strong interest in science fiction and computers. He bought a tandy color computer, an Amiga 500 in which he built his own extended housing out of wood, and an Amiga 2000. He got Allen Jr. involved in computer programming and composing music at just eleven years old. When not working, you would often find him sitting patiently with Allen Jr. at the computer, teaching him how to enter code to make a program.

Allen Sr. was also musically gifted, having played steel guitar in a band in his younger years, and teaching Allen Jr. guitar as a very young child. When others told Allen Jr. to practice guitar less and be a normal teenager, Allen Sr motivated and supported him to practice even more.
Allen Jr. has since made a career out of teaching guitar, recently publishing a number-one-selling book on music theory, and is recognized by many notable musicians as an extraordinarily talented guitarist.

Allen Sr. was very patient and peaceful, naturally leading to him taking up fishing as a hobby. Many great memories were created on fishing trips with him, but he may not have been aware that his son, Adam, was most excited about these trips because of the joy and excitement that he saw in his dad when they went to pick out live bait and (of course) snacks to take on the boat. Adam will forever associate "Chunky" candy bars with these fishing trips. Even in his last days, Allen Sr. asked Adam if he wanted to try to catch the northern pike (a.k.a. "Walter") that once jumped out of the net back to freedom at Beaver Dam Lake.

Allen Sr. was a caring man and could be seen rubbing Susan's feet after her long nights working as a waitress. When family members fell ill or needed a place to stay, he and Susan welcomed them into their house without hesitation. Susan was truly Allen Sr.'s angel on Earth, cooking for him even when he became more critical of every bite, as nothing tasted quite right due to his chemotherapy. Susan had razor-sharp attention to his healthcare needs, documenting every medication and appointment, stocking his bedroom with all of the medical supplies he would need, and taking care of him in ways that often go unspoken, to protect others from the bitter realities of what chronic malignancy can do to a person.

Allen Sr. was also a pizza lover, and could sometimes be seen carrying a stack of 6 trays from Pizza by Pappas in Scranton. On pizza nights, Allen Sr. would often be seen dancing on his way to the living room with his share of pizza and an ice-cold soda. He may not have realized it,
but these moments of contentment warmed his sons' hearts.

Allen Sr. would peacefully engage with chipmunks in the yard and feed them by hand. He also taught family members about birds and their unique calls. Allen Sr. was a kind person to all he encountered.

Surviving are his widow, Susan VanWert (Sallom); two sons, Allen Van Wert, Jr. of Vandling, PA; and Dr. Adam L. VanWert and his wife Wendi, of Edwardsville, PA; two grandchildren, Lydian and Rylie VanWert; and several nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by a brother, Richard VanWert; and two sisters, Hannah Whiteduck and Joyce VanWert.

Arrangements by Lawrence E. Young Funeral Home and Cremation Services Inc., 418 S. State Street, Clarks Summit.