Robert A. McAllen's Obituary
Robert Ashley McAllen passed away early in the morning of April 21, 2026, at his home, surrounded by family. He had been fighting a terminal lung condition for seven years.
Robert was born in Brownsville, Texas, and grew up at his family's ranch near Linn with his parents and brother. His early life on the ranch gave him a love for fresh air and all the growing things of the world and rain, especially rain.
He attended high school at Sewanee Military Academy in Tennessee, where he graduated as valedictorian. Robert went to Rice University and completed a degree in chemical engineering. This took him to work for Texaco, where he invented a device that earned a patent.
In 1959, Robert joined the Army National Guard, where he became a mechanic in the Texas 49th Armored Division. Later he would go on active duty in Louisiana in 1961.
Also in the momentous year of 1959, he met and married Margaret Louise Looney, and he adored her for all the remaining years of his life, achieving 66 years of marriage with her by the time of his death.
He traveled widely, visiting historical sites, natural wonders and countless high mountain peaks, including Kilimanjaro and Mont Blanc, the highest points in Africa and Western Europe. Margaret went with him on most of his journeys.
They raised their children in Weslaco, and Robert was a dedicated father, always attending his children's programs, performances, and competitions. He also took great pride in seeing his children become parents of their own. He and Margaret were joyful and active grandparents, who had a tradition of taking each grandchild on a special trip when the child turned 10 years old. Washington, New York, Yosemite, and others were the destinations of these trips. In his final years, Robert was excited to see some grandchildren start families of their own.
While Robert did begin his work life as an engineer, he soon became a banker, investor, and real estate developer. Businesses up and down the Valley got their start with loans from Robert's banks.
Later in life, in 2007, he was ordained as an Episcopal priest, which was the continuation of decades of commitment and involvement in the church. He became the vicar of Epiphany Episcopal Church in Raymondville, and saw the congregation grow dramatically under his leadership. He was especially proud of his weekly bilingual worship service, which brought a diverse group of people together through faith. Also, congregants there will long remember his Easter passion plays that included a live burro.
Robert was always active with civic organizations. These included Boy Scouts of America (Scouting America), the Weslaco Investment Club, and the Weslaco chapter of Rotary International, in which he had entered his 60th year of perfect attendance.
Over the years he was active at Episcopal parishes and missions from one end of the Valley to the other. He conducted sacraments at at least nine churches across South Texas.
Throughout his life, Robert and Margaret were avid supporters of several organizations and institutions. A short list of the highlights include the Museum of South Texas History, the North American Butterfly Association, Pan American University (now the University of Texas Rio Grande Valley), and All Saints Episcopal School in Beaumont.
Robert served as a director on many boards, including Weslaco Independent School District, Central Power and Light, Knapp Medical Center, and his alma mater, Sewanee Military Academy.
He is survived by his wife, Margaret L. McAllen; his daughter and son-in-law Melanie M. and J. Thaddeus Heartfield; his son and daughter-in-law R. Lowry and Jessica C. McAllen; and his daughter-in-law Zemfira V. McAllen. He is also survived by grandchildren: Hannah Grace Heartfield, M. Claire Heartfield, Bailey M. Heartfield; and Matthew A. McAllen, Olesya A. McAllen Ziomek, Robert A. McAllen, and Angelina L. McAllen; Isaac O. McAllen, and Patrick O. McAllen; Lillian F. Guerra; David A. McAllen, and Salome McAllen Bowers. His great-grandchildren are Nikolai Ziomek and Marie McAllen. Robert is also survived by his brother, James A. McAllen Sr.
He was preceded in death by his sons Montgomery A. McAllen, Geoffrey O. McAllen, David A. McAllen, and C. Ashley McAllen; his grandson Aidan T. Heartfield; and his parents, Argyle A. and Margaret H. McAllen.
Robert was supported and made comfortable every day by a group of ladies he referred to as his “angels.” The family will always be grateful to these caregivers: Maria Aradillas, Thomasina Gonzalez, Griselda Guzman, Sofia Mar, Estefany Muñoz, Gladis Treviño.
Funeral arrangements are being handled by McCaleb Funeral Home of Weslaco, Texas.
In lieu of flowers, memorial donations would be much appreciated to any of these efforts, which were dear to Robert's heart:
The Weslaco Rotary Robert and Margaret McAllen Scholarship Fund of the Weslaco chapter of Rotary International. Donations can be made online at https://bit.ly/McAllenRotarySchol, and checks may be mailed to Rotary Club of Weslaco, P.O. Box 800, Weslaco, TX 78599.
or
The Margaret and Robert McAllen Endowed Scholarship at All Saints Episcopal School in Beaumont, Texas. Donations may be made online at https://bit.ly/ASESgives or by check to All Saints Episcopal School, 4108 Delaware Street, Beaumont, TX 77706.
or
The Robert Ashley McAllen Theological Scholarship at the University of the South. Gifts may be made online at https://support.sewanee.edu or by mailing a check, payable to The University of the South, with the scholarship's name in the memo field, to University Relations, 735 University Avenue, Sewanee, TN 37383.
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