Born in Edmonton, Alberta, Allan was diagnosed with retinitis pigmentosa at a young age. Despite being legally blind by the time he was a teenager, he boldly travelled the world, served in the Canadian Foreign Service and wrote a detailed autobiography and philosophical treatise in retirement.
At the beginning of his career, Allan was the only blind diplomat in the Canadian Foreign Service. He served in various consular roles at the Canadian Embassy in Tokyo until 1982, and the Canadian High Commission in New Delhi, and Canadian Embassy in Nepal until 1988.
Allan retired in the early 1990s, shortly before completely losing his vision. He spent roughly 20 years researching and writing "Beyond Vision," a book which documented his progressive blindness and spinal pain, but more importantly his insights into the nature of consciousness.
Allan was curious, thoughtful, intelligent, and determined. In his final days, he was grateful and preoccupied with the small comforts of life. He is survived by his wife, Priscila and son, Evan. Allan was 81 years old.