Bejda, Allen, Age: 70, Locust

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Allen Bejda, 70, of Locust, died May 31 after losing his battle with cancer. He was born in Berwyn, Illinois to Joseph and Grace Bejda.

Active in Boy Scouts, he earned his Eagle Scout rank in 1964. He graduated J. Sterling Morton West High School, Berwyn, Illinois, his parents’ alma mater, in 1965. He earned his Bachelor of Science in fishery biology with distinction from Colorado State University in 1969 and his Master of Science from Cornell University in 1971. He had a distinguished career as a fishery biologist at James J. Howard Marine Sciences Laboratory at Sandy Hook from January 1971 until his retirement in 2001.

Allen married his college sweetheart, Vickie Trejbal, in August 1971. His career brought them to New Jersey where they made their home and developed lifelong friendships.

Allen enjoyed sailing and was also an avid fly fisherman and fly tyer. Throughout his working and retired life, he and Vickie hiked and bicycled in Europe and fished their way across the country and Alaska several times.

A kind and gentle man, he will be sorely missed.

Honoring his request, there will be no funeral services. In lieu of flowers, a donation to the American Cancer Society or Memorial Sloan Kettering in Allen’s name would be greatly appreciated.