Lynn Allen dies; Idaho public broadcaster, Community Cinema pioneer

Lynn Allen of Boise, Idaho, a former longtime employee of Idaho Public Television, died unexpectedly March 28 on vacation in Mexico, after a sudden illness. She was 68.

In recent years, Allen coordinated the Independent Television Service’s Community Cinema program in the state for IdahoPTV. Boise, Idaho, was the launch city six years ago for the outreach, now the largest engagement initiative in pubcasting with 100 markets nationwide screening Independent Lens features and hosting discussions. ITVS compiled a short tribute video about Allen here.

Allen arrived at IdahoPTV in 1980 shortly before it became a statewide system. She worked four years as administrative assistant to the general manager before assuming duties as the system’s first personnel manager. She wrote the network’s original policy manual.

In 1987, Allen became station manager at KAID, IdahoPTV for southwest and central Idaho. By 1995 she took over as outreach director and Ready to Learn coordinator, responsible for statewide community activities. After leaving IdahoPTV as an employee in 2002, she contracted to manage grants for Ready to Learn and other educational programs for IdahoPTV, in addition to her work with ITVS.

“During her more than a quarter of a century of service to Idaho Public Television, Lynn brought great wisdom and knowledge to the educational mission of our statewide system,” IdahoPTV General Manager Peter Morrill said. “She will be sorely missed by her friends at IdahoPTV and across the state.”

She was born Nov. 11, 1942, in Indiana. She graduated from Leavenworth (Kan.) High School, and received a bachelor’s degree from University of Kansas in 1964. She was a member of the Kappa Kappa Gamma sorority.

Allen was involved in “service organizations too numerous to mention,” according to her Idaho Statesman obituary, which also said she was an avid bridge player, loved traveling and was a champion for children's early learning.

Survivors include her husband, Dick C. Allen; two daughters, Lisa Hettinger and Christine Henkel; three grandchildren; and her brother, Charles F. Greever III. The family suggests memorials to Idaho Public Television, the Boise Women's and Children's Alliance, or the Kappa Kappa Gamma Foundation. A memorial is scheduled for April 30 at the Cathedral of the Rockies in Boise. (Image: ITVS)