Robert Edmond Allard, OD, 62, of Andover, MA died June 5, 2009 at his residence after a courageous battle with ALS.
He was born in Manchester, NH on September 25, 1946, the son of Robert J. and Therese (Marcoux) Allard. He was raised and educated in Manchester and graduated from St. Anselm College with a Bachelor of Arts degree in Biology in 1968. He served in the US Army for two years and then entered the Illinois College of Optometry where he received his Doctor of Optometry degree.
Dr. Allard has served as director of the Eye Clinic in Boston and also served as an associate professor of clinical optometry and as a contact lens instructor at the New England College of Optometry in Boston for twenty years. He served as Director of Vision Services at Teamsters Health Center in Charlestown, MA and joined the NH Eye Associates in 1989 where he has been a staff optometrist in Manchester for the past twenty years.
Dr. Allard has lectured extensively nationally and has authored a number of nationally published articles. He holds memberships in the Massachusetts Society of Optometrists, the American Optometric Association, the American Academy of Optometry, as well as the NE Council of Optometry. He was also on the National Board of Examiners in Optometry.
He enjoyed hiking, playing tennis, biking and was an all around sports enthusiast. He was a lifelong fan of both the Boston Red Sox and Celtics. Above all else, he loved spending time with his family.
Family members include his wife of 39 years, Mary Kate (McKenzie) Allard of Andover, MA; one daughter, Dr. Catherine Bergschneider and her husband Daniel of Haverhill, MA; one son, CPO Christopher Allard and his wife Lisa of West Point, VA; four grandchildren, Ella and Zoe Bergschneider, Ryan and Liam Allard; his mother, Therese Gosselin of Manchester; one sister, Denise Farrah and her husband Eli of Potomac, MD; one sister-in-law, JoAnn Beaulieu and her husband Clement of Fairhaven, MA; two step-sisters, Vivian West of Pembroke, NH and Sylvia Lamy of Epsom; several nieces and nephews.
A Mass of Christian burial was celebrated on Saturday, June 13, 2009 in St. Marie Church, 378 Notre Dame Ave, Manchester. Committal prayers and military honors followed at Mt. Calvary Cemetery Mausoleum, 474 Goffstown Rd, Manchester.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Bob Allard Compassionate Clinician Award, payable to New England College of Optometry: Bob Allard Award, 424 Beacon St, Boston, MA 02115.