Allard Calkins lost his long battle with emphysema March 17, 2007. He died peacefully in his sleep at his home in Langley.

Allard was born Nov. 13, 1929, in Berkeley, Calif. to Persis and Allard Anthony Calkins. He had his schooling in California which included attending the of University of California at Davis.

In 1952 he married Margrethe Strobel, a Danish exchange student. Together they owned and operated a chicken ranch in Napa Valley, Calif. During this time they started a family and Allard went into the home building business which he continued until his retirement in 1989.

Shortly after retirement Margrethe and Allard moved to Whidbey Island. Allard’s interests were traveling in his motor home and bird watching. He was past president of the Whidbey Island chapter of the Audubon Society and enjoyed the meetings and field trips with his fellow bird watchers.

He is survived by his wife Margrethe; daughter Ann, living in the Napa Valley; his son Steven and his wife Sheri and their daughter, Alicia of Lindale, Texas; his sister Elizabeth Ciapusci (husband George and three children) living in Brookings, Ore.; and cousin Sally Jane Wegner (husband Tom and two daughters) of Tucson, Ariz.

No services will be held. His internment will be at the family plot in St. Helena, Calif. at a later date.

In lieu of flowers a contribution in his memory to either the Audubon Society of Whidbey Island, WAIF or the Nature Conservatory would be appreciated.