Obituary
Allan P. Heard
Allan P. Heard, Colonel USAF (Ret), (89) of Ormond Beach, Florida passed away on 14 April 2023. He is survived by his loving and devoted wife of 66 years, LaTrisia Kinney Heard, their three sons, Stephen, Kevin, and Keith, three daughters-in-law Mary-Catherine, Janet, and Renee, and six grandchildren Kaycie, Stephen, Jenna Le, Jacqueline, Shannon and Ethan, two great grandsons Conall, Rowan and one great Granddaughter, Jubilee expected on July 5, 2023. Allan was preceded in death by his parents Joseph G. Heard and Ruth Jacobi Heard, brother Joseph Heard, and sisters Beverly Venning, and Jane Askew.
Allan was born February 6, 1934, in Coral Gables, Florida, attended Dade County schools, and learned to sail at the Coconut Grove Sailing Club. He acquired an early love of flying from watching (and dodging) the historic aircraft operations transiting Dinner Key. He was student body president at Shenandoah Junior High and was Drum Major of the Miami High School Band. He worked full-time nights at the Miami office of the FBI while earning his degree at the University of Miami. During his senior year in 1956 he met LaTrisia Kinney, who was the reigning Miss Miami that year. They were married just prior to his graduation, and she pinned his wings in June of 1958. Allan went on active duty with the U.S. Air Force in 1960. Along with strategic flying assignments, he was selected for diplomatic posting as an Air Attaché in the U.S. Embassy in Buenos Aires, Argentina. He served in Vietnam during 1969 and 1970 where he flew over 200 combat missions and 5,000 hours of flying time. His decorations include two Legions of Merit Medals, two Distinguished Flying Crosses, the Spanish Aeronautical Cross and six air medals. After Vietnam, Allan was assigned to the Air Staff in the Pentagon. He became the Chief of the International Affairs Division, with responsibilities in foreign disclosure and licensing of aerospace technology, foreign military sales. He was official liaison with foreign governments diplomatically accredited in Washington D.C. Allan was engaged in foreign base rights negotiations and prominently involved in the NATO decision to purchase the U.S. made F-16 fighter over its French competitor. He holds a Master of Science degree in International Affairs from George Washington University and graduated from the National War College. He earned the rank of Colonel in the Air Force, but due to health reasons, Allan retired in 1979 and joined the Wackenhut Corporation as Vice President of International Development at its headquarters in Coral Gables. He became Vice President, Wackenhut International Inc., and later, President of The Wackenhut Systems Corporation, a position he held until retiring in March of 1983.
In 1986, Allan became President and Chief Executive Officer of MILRET, Inc. d/b/a Travel Shop 1 of Coral Gables and of ALA Security Systems, a security systems consultancy.
Allan was a past President of the Coral Gables People to People Program, past president of the Army Navy Club and past Chair of the Chamber of Commerce Committee of 21. As a member the Rotary Club of Coral Gables he served as International Vice Chairman. He served on the Board of Adjustment, was a member of Public Safety Committee, President and board member of Coral Gables Citizen’s Crime Watch, board member, Emergency Management Division member, Ponce Development Board and Chairman of the Citizens’ Golf Committee. He has twice been the recipient of the Key to the City of Coral Gables for his civic involvement. Additionally, he is a board member of the Kappa Sigma Alumni Association, a life member of the Army Navy Club, Washington, D.C., member, Riviera Country Club, Coral Gables, and is a past President of the Country Club of Coral Gables where, as a member of the men’s golf association, he was Club Champion nine times. He also holds memberships in the Military Officers’ Association of America, The Military Order of World Wars and the Air Force Association.