Richard Allsopp

Richard Howard Allsopp, 87 Insurance Lakeland " Richard (""Dick"") H. Allsopp, passed away peacefully on Friday, August 19, 2011 at Wedgewood of Winter Haven due to heart failure. He was 87. Born in Orlando, Fl., on June 18, 1924, to Howard and Mabel Allsopp, he grew up in Lakeland and graduated from Lakeland High School in 1941. During college at Duke University, Dick joined the NROTC and enlisted in the U.S. Navy. He served on a sub chaser patrol craft, earning the rank of Lieutenant. After the war, he completed his education at Duke, graduating with a degree in business in 1947. He returned to Lakeland and joined his father in the Allsopp Insurance Agency, now Jefferson-Allsopp Insurance. He met his sweetheart, Sally Henley at her father""s drug store and they married in 1950. He was long time member of All Saints Episcopal Church where he served on the vestry. He was campaign chairman and president of the United Fund, a member of downtown Lakeland Kiwanis Club and president of the junior Chamber of Commerce. He served on the boards of the Lakeland Yacht & Country Club, Florida Federal Saving & Loan and was a member of Lone Palm Golf Club. Dick was well known for his sense of humor and love of life. He loved people and had many lifelong "buddies."" He enjoyed the family""s second home in New Smyrna Beach , and took pleasure in fishing the Florida Everglades and Florida""s west coast near Little Gasparilla Island. He enjoyed golf and beating anyone and everyone at a game of gin rummy. He was an avid sports fan and remained loyal to the Florida Gators and Tampa Bay Buccaneers all of his life. He was preceded in death by his parents and his sister Marijean Eilers. He is survived by Sally Allsopp, his wife of 61 years, son, Michael H. Allsopp, daughter, Leslie C. Allsopp, and grandson, Skip Allsopp. Services will be held August 24, 2011 at 4 PM at All Saints Episcopal Church. Memorials may be made to All Saints Episcopal Church Memorial Fund, 202 S. Massachusetts Ave. Lakeland, FL. Service: 08/24/2011 All Saints Episcopal Church 202 South Massachusetts Avenue, Lakeland, Florida All Saints Episcopal Church Visitation: 08/24/2011 All Saints Episcopal Church