SALINA, KANSAS, U.S. — James Ronald Allen, 75, Salina, Kansas, U.S., former president/chief executive officer (CEO) of Research Products Company, died Feb. 21 of natural causes at Salina Regional Health Center.
Allen was born on July 3, 1937, in Newton, Kansas, U.S., to Everett and Mildred Allen. 
After high school, he attended and graduated from Kansas State University in 1959 and immediately began his employment with Research Products Company, Salina, with an eight-month pregnant wife in tow and $200 in their pocket. He retired from the company as president/CEO after over 43+ years, at the end of 2002. 
During his lifetime, he served on a number of local boards including Sunflower Bank, St. Johns Regional Health Center, Salina Regional Health Center, Greater Salina Community Foundation, YWCA Endowment and the Salina Country Club. 
During his career, he had been a member of the Kansas Grain and Feed Association, Association of Operative Millers, Association of Cereal Chemists and the North American Millers Association. 
Additionally, he was chosen to be a member of the Salina Business Hall of Fame. He was a member of Sigma Alpha Epsilon fraternity and member of the First Presbyterian Church of Salina. 
He was preceded in death by his mother and father; wife of 42 years, Janice J. Allen; a sister, Elaine Sauerwein; and a grandson, Destry Greer Allen. 
He is survived by a son, Bart J. Allen; two daughters, Jennifer Allen (Kat) of Salina and Brenda Wohler of Salina; six grandchildren and one great-grandchild.
Memorials may be made to The Destry Allen Memorial Fund, care of the Salina Education Foundation.