Hank Allison, journalist and attorney September 8, 2008
Henry R. (Hank) Allison, III passed away unexpectedly in his Nashville home on September 6, 2008. He was 64 years old.
Hank grew up in Southern California, and as a young man, he served honorably with the First Air Cavalry Division in Vietnam. He was awarded the Army Commendation Medal for meritorious war service in 1966.
Hank was a graduate of The Evergreen State College in Olympia, WA with a degree in clinical psychology.
It was during his time in Vietnam that Hank began a journalism career that would span several decades, garnering numerous awards. He won the Sigma Delta Chi National Medallion, Columbia University DuPont Award and National Headliner Award for live national radio coverage of the gun battle between the Symbionese Liberation Army (Patricia Hearst kidnappers) and the Los Angeles Police Department in 1974. He also received a special commendation from then Los Angeles Chief of Police Ed Davis for bravery under gunfire and tear gas during coverage of that news story.
Allison was honored with a Golden Mike Award from the Radio and Television News Association of Southern California, and as a KFWB-Westinghouse reporter, he helped cover the Charles Manson Trial, the Bobby Kennedy Assassination and the Daniel Ellsberg (Pentagon Papers) Trial.
In Nashville, Hank Allison was a reporter and anchor for WTVF Channel 5 television and WKRN, Channel 2 television from 1977 to 1989, and he also authored freelance articles in numerous national magazines and newspapers. Hank believed passionately in the necessity of a free and inquiring press to the effective exercise of democracy.
In 1983, Hank graduated from The Nashville School of Law, winning the American Jurisprudence Award. In recent years, he practiced law and operated a title company in the Nashville area. Hank told his children he found the practice of law so satisfying because it allowed him to advocate for those without an economic voice.
Hank Allison is survived by his wife, Susan Pritchett Allison of Nashville, and by his mother Jane Allison and his sister Judith Allison Reinsma , both of Saugus, California.
Hank was a proud father to his three adult children, daughters Katie Allison Granju and Betsy Allison Tant, both of Knoxville, TN, and his son, Robert Allison of Bell Buckle, TN. He is survived by 11 grandchildren, Henry Granju, Jane Granju, Elliot Granju, Charlotte Hickman, Eleanor Tant, McLean Tant, Nancy Catherine Tant, Jones Allison, Anna Allison, Helen Allison and Nicholas Allison.
He was also a beloved uncle to his nieces and nephews: James Anderson, Thomas Anderson, Elizabeth Anderson Renneissen, Paige Anderson Hickernell, Eddie Reinsma, David Reinsma and Jan Reinsma Manion.
Hank will be laid to rest in a military burial at Middle Tennessee Veterans Cemetery at 9:00 am Thursday morning, September 11. Burial will be followed at 11am by a memorial service and receiving of friends at Westminster Presbyterian Church located at 3900 West End Avenue in Nashville.
In lieu of flowers, the family asks that donations be made in Hank Allison’s memory to the John Siegenthaler Freedom Forum First Amendment Center at Vanderbilt University.
Dear Katie,
I am SO sorry for your terrible loss. What an amazing man.
Dear Katie and Family,
We are very sorry to hear of your loss. What an interesting life and legacy. Our thoughts and prayers are with you during this time.
Dear Katie, Betsy and Robert, I’m shocked by the sudden loss of your father. I have very fond memories of the days when Hank let me and Katie play hookie and took us up to Hickory Hollow as a reward for good grades- which in my case were rare. And I remember the 4-H club horse shows that your Dad took us to. (Remember my disco horse costume won first place?) I’ll never forget being your neighbor and friend as it was such a formative part of my childhood development. I love your family and I’m keeping you all in my prayers. Much love, Addie
Katie, my prayers are with you and your family as you cope with the sudden loss of your father. I am so sorry.
Katie, You are in my thoughts and Prayers.
I’m so sorry, Katie. Thinking of you and your family.
Katie,
I know that you and your family are going through a difficult time. Please know that you are in our hearts, on our minds and in our prayers!
Katie,
I am so very sorry for your loss. Our thoughts and prayers are with you and the children. If there is anything we can do to make this easier for you, please let us know.
Katie, I’m so sorry to hear about your loss. Having now lost both mother and dad, I know how hard and painful it is. From what I read, your father lived every ounce of life possible. I know he must have been very proud of the woman you have become. My thoughts and my prayers are with you and your family. P.S. I miss seeing your smiling face around here. - Love, Kathy
I am so sorry, I am familiar with your Mom and Dad from both BB and Nashville. I hope everything works out OK.
I am so sorry Katie. This is one of those huge milestone events that everyone dreads. He sounds like a wonderful man, and I know you will miss him dreadfully. Even though I never met him, I’m quite sure he was proud of you, and that should be a great comfort to you forever.
Katie, Betsy, Robert, Sue and family,
I am shocked to hear of your father’s sudden passing. I enjoyed many good times at the Allison homestead and have many good memories of him. May peace be with you during this time of loss.
Chrissy
I’m so sorry to hear about the sudden passing of your father. It sounds like he was an amazing man and is leaving quite the significant legacy.
Sad to get a call from Tim G (Sat) and then your email alerting me to Hank’s death/obit. Was unable to reach you et al by phone so I am just writing to express my sympathy for the loss of a fine man that I remember so fondly from back in the day. He was directly responsible for putting Outer Limits on Nashville TV in the late 70’s and I have countless memories of laughter from back in the Bell Buckle/Fairfield days. Much love to the whole family in this time of great sadness.
Katie, Jane, and family,
I know that you are incredibly proud of your grandfather and the accomplishments he had throughout his life. Know that we are thinking about you.
Debbie and Mary Emily C
Katie, condolences on such a tremendous loss. Your father’s story describes a remarkable life, lived remarkably well. God Bless you and your family.
Oh, Katie, I’m so sorry for your loss. Please accept my deepest condolences and know that I am sending lots of love your way.
Kate–
I just stumbled upon the news of your father’s death. I am so sorry. I worked with him for several years at WKRN in the mid-1980s. He was a great guy and a pleasure to be around. He will be missed.
Mike Sullivan
My deepest condolences to your family over the untimely loss of your father. You do not know me, but I knew Hank back in the days when we both lived in the north San Fernado Valley and were attending high school. A few years ago, some old friends from the Valley were reminiscing about our youth and Hank’s name came up. At the time, I wondered where he ended up and googled his name and found that he was practicing law in Nashville. I so regret putting off contacting him then. The last time I saw Hank was when he was home on furlough while in the service. Today I received an email that contained some pictures of old hot rods from the 50s & 60s…and there was a picture that looked exactly like Hank’s old bright yellow 40 Ford (his pride and joy at the time), and I decided that I should send the picture on to Hank to remind him of the fun we had back in those days in the Valley. I’m so sorry I didn’t contact him before. Hank was always on a higher level than most of the kids we hung around with - a little more serious, definitely more committed and definitely more intelligent, but always fun to be with and a great sense of humor. I remember him working at that corner gas station after school, when others were out goofing off. It does not suprise me that he achieved so much in his lifetime. My prayers are with your family.