Biography: Richard Allin, age 77, of Little Rock, died Thursday, October 18, 2007. Born Helena, Arkansas, Oct. 6, 1930 at Helena Hospital. Son of Richard Allin and Dora Harper Allin; brother of the Rt. Rev. John M. Allin, 23rd Presiding Bishop of the Episcopal Church. Baptized at St. John's Episcopal Church, Helena. Attended Jefferson Elementary School. Graduated from Helena-West Helena Central High School in May 1948. He detested organized sports, but loved playing touch football. He played baritone horn in the school band, soon transferring to sousaphone which he played until graduation. He was offered music scholarships to two Arkansas colleges, but chose to enter the University of the South, at Sewanee, Tennessee where he received a BA degree in English literature. He sang four years in the University Choir, worked under Professor Abbott Martin in the University Ravine Gardens, played in the college band. He was a member of Purple Masque, the University dramatics group, and took part in several plays before he decided he was better suited by back-stage work, where he worked as stage manager in several productions. He was a member of Omega chapter of Kappa Sigma fraternity. He was a member of the Class of 1952. After graduation, he attended United States Navy Officers Candidate School at Newport, Rhode Island, where he was commission ensign. He was assigned to the Office of Naval Intelligence for 23 months, working in the Pentagon Building, and enjoying Washington, D. C. He described his job as a pencil-pushing ensign. He applied for sea duty and was assigned to a heavy cruiser, USS Des Moines (CA 134) and served in the U.S. Sixth Fleet as flagship. He worked as communications watch officer, as a cryptographic officer, and division officer. He was discharged from active service after three and a half years. Returning home he pondered entering the newspaper business, and applied both to The Commercial Appeal in Memphis, and the Arkansas Gazette. The Commercial Appeal answered his application first so he joined that paper. He worked as a roving reporter in the Mid-South. He then became capital bureau chief for the Commercial Appeal for three years before he joined the Arkansas Gazette, later becoming the Our Town columnist a job he held for 30 years. Allin's columns on trees in the downtown area led to a change in city policy forbidding the planting of trees through sidewalks. Little Rock became known for downtown landscaping using trees. In 1991 the Gazette was closed after its new owner, the Gannett Corporation, lost a heavily waged newspaper war to the owners of the Arkansas Democrat, and he transferred as columnist to the successful newspaper. Served on a number of boards in Little Rock; a member and vestryman of St. Mark's Episcopal Church in Little Rock; he was board member of the Museum of Natural History, and a board member of the Pulaski County Mental Health Association. An amateur musician, for ten years was principal tuba of the Arkansas Symphony Orchestra for ten years. Author of the Southern Legislative Dictionary, the Second Southern Legislative Dictionary, and the Wad and Gudge Creek Chronicles. Married, Carol Cole Allin, originally of Paragould, Arkansas, who survives him. He is also survived by his sons, Richard Philip “Phil” Herget and wife Anne Elise “Lisa” of Alexandria, Virginia, and Walter Eric Herget and wife Lou Anne of Little Rock; eight grandchildren, Evi, Elise, Ryan, Alli, Conor, Cole, Cameron, and Josephine; a sister-in-law Ann Allin of Jackson, Mississippi; nephew and nieces John Allin, Kelly Butler, Martha Skelton, and Fran Hazel. A memorial service will be held at 1:00 p.m. on Monday, October 22, 2007, at St. Mark’s Episcopal Church officiated by Rev. Rocki Profitt, Rev. Carey Stone, and Rev. Dan McKee. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to St. Mark’s Episcopal Church, 1000 N. Mississippi, Little Rock, 72207; or to the animal shelter of the donor’s choosing. Cremation arrangements are by Ruebel Funeral Home of Little Rock, www.ruebelfuneralhome.com.