Michael Terrance Allen's Obituary
Michael T. Allen, 74, an outstanding and lifelong member of the Waterloo Community, entered into eternal life on February 28, 2025. Michael was born on June 1, 1950, in Waterloo, Iowa, from the union of Willie Robert Allen Sr. and Betty Mattie Bell-Allen of Waterloo, Iowa.
Michael confessed Christ at an early age and was baptized at Antioch Baptist Church in Waterloo. He briefly served as a Sunday School teacher at Antioch Baptist Church.
Michael was a manager for the Leisure Services summer program at Gates Park Pool, a member of the Black Alliance Men organization, and assisted with the Boys Club Wrestling Program. His education and wrestling journey began when his father mentioned that black athletes were not allowed to wrestle with white athletes. Inspired by this, Michael started wrestling at the age of 12 at McKinstry Middle School and continued at East High School. At the University of Northern Iowa he earned a B.A. in Health and Physical Education in 1972, followed by a Master of Arts in Education with a focus on Elementary Principalship in 1977.
Michael began working for the Waterloo Community School District in 1972. As a principal, he affectionately referred to all his students as his children. In addition to his work in education, he became a wrestling official and retired from the Waterloo Schools in 2008. He was the first and only African American wrestling official in Iowa to officiate at the State Wrestling Tournaments.
He officiated at 20 Iowa High School State Wrestling Tournaments and was named Outstanding Iowa Wrestling Official of the Year three times. He was also hired to officiate at the college level, overseeing: 15 NCAA Division I tournaments, 10 NCAA Division II tournaments, five NCAA Division Ill tournaments, five NAIA National tournaments in lowa, and three National Junior College wrestling tournaments.
Michael was inducted into several Halls of Fame, including: East High School Hall of Fame, Ring of Honor Football Hall of Fame, Ellsworth Football Hall of Fame, Midlands Hall of Fame (Northwestern University), Glen Brand Wrestling Hall of Fame, FILA International Wrestling Hall of Fame, lowa Wrestling Officials Hall of Fame, and National Wrestling Hall of Fame in Stillwater Oklahoma.
He was also hired as the Wrestling Official Assigner for the MAC Conference and was recognized by the African American Museum of Iowa as a History Maker in the state of Iowa.
Michael leaves behind his beloved wife, Arnita Pugh-Allen; daughter, Denise Allen of Cedar Falls, Iowa; son, Victor (Gina) Allen of Davenport, Iowa; and two stepsons, Gregory (Mary) Nobles and Jeremy (Kristi) Nobles, both of Waterloo. He is also survived by his brothers, Clifford Allen of Waterloo and Frederick Allen of Indianapolis, Indiana; four grandchildren, Anisia Smith, Justin Thomas, and Dyanta and Cyana Allen; 10 step-grandchildren; and a host of nieces, nephews, and former students whom he considered his children.
Michael was preceded in death by his parents, Willie Sr. and Betty Allen of Waterloo; his brother, Willie Jr. of Houston, Texas; his sisters, Rita Allen of Waterloo and Marquita J. Pearson of Chicago, Illinois; and his grandson, Victor Michael Allen of Waterloo.
The Sanders Service
What’s your fondest memory of Michael?
What’s a lesson you learned from Michael?
Share a story where Michael's kindness touched your heart.
Describe a day with Michael you’ll never forget.
How did Michael make you smile?
