Robert L. "Bob" Allen, age 86, passed away April 8, 2026, in Oklahoma City. He was born May 22, 1939, to Corliss and Katherine Allen in El Reno, Oklahoma. He graduated El Reno High School in 1957 and Oklahoma Baptist University (OBU) in 1963. While at OBU, he married Mary Lee Holloway of Tulsa, Oklahoma on June 6, 1961. He was named the Executive Director of the Oklahoma Educational Television Authority (OETA) in 1972.

Known as "Mr. OETA," he served in top leadership positions - first as its Executive Director from 1972 to 1999 and then as OETA Foundation President from 1999 to 2014. During his 42-year tenure, he presided over a period of growth in facilities, programming, local productions and public support unparalleled in OETA's history. Allen began with a small totally state-funded basement operation in 1972 and built it into an annual operation of more than $8 million secured from a broad base of support distributed between the public and private sectors.

His national and state accomplishments were numerous, including greatly expanding the OETA into a comprehensive statewide public television network of four full-powered television stations and 15 translators with studios in Oklahoma City and Tulsa.

The OETA Board of Directors named the modern OETA headquarters facility in Oklahoma City the "Robert L. Allen Telecommunications Center" in 1999. He was elected and served on the PBS Board of Directors from 1977 to 1979.

Other special honors and awards include being inducted into The Oklahoma Association of Broadcasters Hall of Fame. OBU recognized Bob with its Outstanding Achievement Award, PBS gave him its Distinguished Service Award, and OETA presented Bob its Golden Anniversary Award for his inspirational leadership and extraordinary service to that organization during its first half-century.

Bob was responsible for introducing and syndicating "The Lawrence Welk Show" weekly series to 275 public television stations nationwide in 1987 and it continues successfully until this day. Also, he served as Executive Producer of 15 national PBS fundraising specials and host talent for pledge events which have resulted in more than $50 million in pledges to public television stations over the past 30 years.

A significant achievement was when Bob raised more than $1 million in grants from foundations and corporations, provided the concept, and served as Executive Producer for the award-winning production of "Oklahoma Passage" which premiered in April, 1989 on OETA's statewide network. This five-part, costumed docudrama series covered more than 150 years of Oklahoma history and set viewing records for OETA. In fact, it has garnered more national and state awards, including the national Cowboy Hall of Fame and the American Association for State and Local History, than any other local production series.

Since 1983, Bob provided the leadership and fully-funded major endowments for OETA's network, totalling more than $30 million. Over the last ten years, earnings from these endowments have provided matching funds for OETA's more than $20 million statewide conversion to digital television and continues with annual support of more than $1 million for OETA's national programming and operations costs.

Bob is survived by his wife of 65 years, Mary Lee (Holloway) Allen, Oklahoma City; four children and their spouses: son, Douglas Ray and Cheryl Allen, Tuttle; son, David Corliss and Lesley Allen, Austin, Texas, daughter, April Allen Parady and John Parady, Salt Lake City, Utah; and son, Steven Scott and Megan Allen, Oklahoma City. He was loving and most proud of his twenty-three grandchildren and great-grandchildren.

Bob's legacy has been documented in a book he wrote and published in 2019 about his life, family and career entitled, "They Said It Couldn't Be Done," and is available on Amazon or at the Oklahoma Hall of Fame and Gaylord-Pickens Museum, 1400 Classen Drive in Oklahoma City.

Although he was proud of his career, Bob's biggest accomplishment was his role as a husband, father, and grandfather. In addition to his strong work ethic, faith and family unity were priorities to him.

Viewing at Mercer-Adams Funeral Service Chapel, 3925 N. Asbury, Bethany, will be Tuesday, April 21, 9am-8pm, with family present from 6-8pm.

A Celebration of Life service will be held on Wednesday, April 22, 3:30pm, at the Oklahoma History Center, 800 Nazih Zuhdi Drive, Oklahoma City, OK. The service will be livestreamed and may be viewed on this obituary page.

In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made in his name to the Friends of OETA, 7403 N. Kelley, in Oklahoma City or to a charity of your choice.