Roger Lee Allard

Roger Lee Allard
April 4, 1942 - May 18, 2022
Seattle, Washington - Roger Lee Allard was born in Tacoma, WA to Robert and Joan Allard. He moved to Bellingham, WA and graduated from Western Washington University. He became an art teacher for a short time before pursuing his passion of commercial fishing. Roger taught himself how to build fishing boats in the offseason. He was eager to start his own boat company, Buffalo Boats, after mastering the trade. He is responsible for building many of the gill-netters and crab boats in the San Juans and later transitioned to sport and charter fishing boats for the west coast and Alaska. He was a charming, lighthearted, and kind member of the Bellingham community for many years. He would drop everything to help someone in need, and was beloved by his peers. His nickname, "Buffalo", came from his stocky upper body and round head, a name that he wore with pride. You could find him at the Bellingham Athletic Club with friends and his long time workout partner John Huntley, mastering the bench press. He loved playing golf and was a staunch supporter of his sons, Hudson and Sam, in their own competitive sport careers, and of his daughter Tami, an accomplished dog racer who completed the Alaskan Iditarod. He recently moved to Seattle to be closer to his youngest, Sam. He was embraced by his new community in Columbia City, Seattle, where you could find him at the local pub or walking his cat Bart through the neighborhood. He was a lifelong artist, who showed his work last month at a local gallery. Roger was incredibly proud of his rekindled hobby, and was deeply moved by the recognition he received for his art. Roger leaves behind his sons Samuel Joseph, Hudson Vaughn, daughter Tamera Rose, who was with him in his last moments, daughter-in-law Tera, and two grandchildren, Samantha and Vaughn. He will be deeply missed by his lifelong friend Charles Snyder, among so many others.