MT - With sadness, tempered by a lifetime of admiration and love, the family of (Dennis) Craig Allen announces his peaceful passing on September 20, 2025 in Bozeman, Montana.

For 80 years, Craig lived his highest ideal: a nature-focused life, always active, always fit. He fished, hiked, biked, and skied, even through his two-decade battle with Waldenstrom's Macroglobulinemia. During his final days, he reminisced that his happiest years had been in Bozeman, where he could enjoy the great outdoors at his doorstep and share his life with Ginny Heimann.

Craig was born in Seattle, Washington in 1945 and grew up there, graduating from Roosevelt High School and the University of Washington with a degree in Zoology. He spent hours of his childhood collecting insects and snakes. He learned to fish from his dad and then pretty much taught himself to fly fish, spending countless hours casting in the alley behind the house. When he was old enough, he worked summers for the Forest Service, fighting fires and building trails.

But he always fly-fished. And he learned to tie his own flies. With a jeweler's skill and an entomologist's understanding of what fish are attracted to, he crafted true works of art that caught countless fish in streams all over Washington and Montana. He was grateful for the wild lands of the west and generously supported his favorite environmental organizations.

Then there was the musical Craig: he started trombone in junior high, played big band music with the Blue Shadows in college, and first trombone in the Navy band through his tours of duty. He also improvised at the piano and always sang around the house and on the trail, urging his fellow hikers to join in.

Craig was a very good cook and a connoisseur of fine wines. He hosted elegant dinner parties and holiday feasts, setting the table with sparkling crystal and fine china.

Perhaps the most impressive thing about Craig's life was his Navy career. The recruiters snagged him at college graduation for pilot training. He ultimately became a Naval Aviator, part of the Air Anti-Submarine Squadron based in San Diego, flying reconnaissance missions off aircraft carriers. He flew a Grumman S-2 Tracker and then a jet-powered Lockheed S-3 Viking. Craig was the epitome of the steely-eyed pilot.

After the Navy, Craig flew for Horizon Air before settling in at Alaska Airlines. For 30 years, he flew all over the West and up to Alaska, loving the view from 30,000 feet—and the fishing at day's end.

Craig was beloved by all of us: his partner Ginny Heiman and honorary grandkids Sophie and Nick; his sister Melody Allen and brother Dale Allen; his nieces and nephew (Hollie, Leif and Risa); and great nephews (Milo, Oliver and Whittaker); not to mention all his close friends; life-long colleagues and fishing buddies; and Allen family cousins. Craig loved family, family reunions, and cribbage! He instigated fierce cribbage tournaments that inspired members of the younger generation to learn the game.

We miss him. May he be knee deep in music and trout streams and the satisfaction of a life well-lived.

Arrangements were handled by Dokken-Nelson Funeral Service. www.dokkennelson.com