Glenn S. Allison in Memoriam

Apr 30, 2007

Glenn S. Allison (1925 – 2007)
Read the obituary

Glenn S. Allison died Tuesday, April 24, 2007 in California. He was born on November 18, 1925.

Following his service during World War II as a member of a squadron in the Pacific theatre, Glenn S. Allison graduated from Olivet College in Michigan, took graduate work at the Chicago Theological Seminary, then obtained his master of social work degree at the School of Social Service Administration, University of Chicago, in 1956. He then served as a psychiatric social worker for the Illinois Department of Mental Health, rising to the position of assistant chief of Psychiatric Social Services. From 1965 to 1968 he was consultant to the

Community Welfare Council of San Diego County and a member of the faculty of the School of Social Work at San Diego State College. During this period, Mr. Allison also served as president of what was then the San Diego Chapter of NASW.

In August 1968, Mr. Allison joined the staff of the Washington office as an associate director of public relations. For a number of years, when the NASW National Office was still in New York City, Mr. Allison headed NASW’s government relations activities from Washington, DC. A registered lobbyist, he was known as the “face of NASW” on Capitol Hill. Former NASW Executive Director Chauncey Alexander described Mr. Allison as “one of the great organizers in NASW’s history.” Mr. Allison was a founder and key figure in the development and success of ELAN, the educational legislative action network for NASW members, and served for more than 12 years on the NASW National staff. According to NASW Past President Suzanne Dworak-Peck, “Glenn was our person on the Hill and made significant inroads. He really had a presence.”

He returned to San Diego in 1981 to become executive director of Episcopal Community Services. He later became a permanent deacon in the city’s Episcopal diocese. He also received the Christianity Unity Award from San Diego’s Roman Catholic Diocesan Commission for Economic and Inter-religious Affairs. The award is presented yearly to a person who has worked for the cooperation and unification of all Christians. Mr. Allison served on numerous community boards and commissions, as well as NASW CA Chapter Committees and taskforces. He was state treasurer of the California Council of Churches and on the executive committee of the County Commission on Children, Youth, and Families. He recently served as deputy director of the Ecumenical Council of San Diego County. In addition to his wife, the Rev. Allison is survived by his daughter Lesley Allison of Sisters, Ore., son, Dr. Glenn W. Allison of Roslindale, Mass; stepdaughters Heather Crews of Baltimore, and Shannon Andrade of Alpine; two grandchildren, five stepgrandchildren and two great grandchildren.

Tributes to Glenn S. Allison

“…Glenn had played a crucial role in establishing and leading key NASW initiatives…” – Elizabeth J. Clark

“…Glenn was a Social Worker’s Social Worker…” – Suzanne Dworak-Peck

“Glenn was a true pioneer…” Mark Battle and Ruth Knee

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