Chadwick “Chad” York Allen

Chadwick York Allen passed suddenly on June 19, 2023. He was born July 4, 1979 to Andrew and Pamela (DeGraves) Allen.

Little did anyone know that Chad would become such a firecracker, so full of life and knowledge. At a very young age, Chad had wit like no other kid. If he set his mind to do something and there didn’t seem to be a way, that didn’t stop Chad; he created one!

In his teen years, Chad spent lots of time at Fisherman’s Island camping out, hunting with friends, and enjoying nature. He also watched out for his little brother Ben (7 years younger), taking him under his wing. Chad enjoyed his best life. He enjoyed living on the edge. Chad had the need for speed. Whether it was on dirt bikes, fast cars, snowmobiles or the water, nothing could slow him down.

Chad became interested in welding at an early age, and that set off an incredible imagination of design. At the age of seventeen, he started his own welding business, Speedworks Manufacturing. He soon became a certified welder. His best project was building stock car suspension parts, some of which ended up on some NASCAR cars. To describe some of the things he could create with metals was out of this world. A metal skeleton with an anatomically correct ceramic heart will make you look twice.  Chad had a natural talent for problem solving. If he couldn’t figure it out, it probably wasn’t possible. He also had a beautiful flair for art in his metal working, like creating life-like roses with metal.

Chad later spent most of his career working as an engineer in the automotive industry, still using that creative side. He was involved in many projects from the ground up and turned concepts into solutions, primarily in vacuum fixtures, robotics, and tooling. If you’re driving the latest Ford 250 Pickup, you have Chad to thank for setting up the assembly line and tooling in Shepherdsville, KY. His latest project was the T-Tops on the new Hummer, and the robots were set up to call him on the phone for help.

If you were lucky enough to have met Chad, you knew he had the most infectious smile, bright beautiful eyes, and a heart of gold. He was easy going with a pinch of spitfire in him and would always lend a hand to anyone in need because he had such a generous heart.

Surviving Chad are his father Andy (Diane) Allen, brother Ben (Sammy Jo) Allen, the love of his life and fiancée Carolyn Zipp, her children Madelynn and Sheridan Zipp, Tanner (Desaray) Geer, and grandchildren Kamden and Reva Geer. They thought of Chad as their own, and he felt the same way. His grandparents Fred and Doris DeGraves also survive.

Chad was preceded in death by his much loved mother Pam Allen and his grandparents Wendell and Gloria Allen, who he deeply admired.

Visitation will take place on Saturday, July 1, 2023 from 10:00 a.m. until  the time of services at 12 noon at the Charlevoix Chapel of Mortensen Funeral Homes.  Interment will follow in Norwood Cemetery.

In lieu of flowers, the family suggests donations may be made to Gift of Life Michigan (giftoflifemichigan.org), Sail Charlevoix (sailcharlevoix.org), or a charity of your choice to honor Chad’s giving spirit.

Arrangements are in the care of the Charlevoix Chapel of Mortensen Funeral Homes.  Please sign his online guestbook www.mortensenfuneralhomes.com.