With jobs hard to come by during the Depression, Allen left the country to work in mines in the Philippines. He worked with mountain tribes in Luzon and, with his accounting background, became a chief accountant with a mine company.

Soon after the attack on Pearl Harbor in 1941, Allen, then a Navy reservist, was called to duty and sent to Corregidor. Within months, the Japanese overran the Philippines and Allen was taken prisoner.

For three years, Allen was held captive in two prison camps where he was subjected to starvation and abuse. But his stay in the camps did have a bright side because he met his future wife, Billie, while both were imprisoned at Santo Tomas in Manila.

The couple vowed to get married if they survived the prison camps. Their wish was granted in February 1945 when paratroopers liberated the prisoners. On June 5, 1945, the two were married.

The Allens moved to Hawai'i soon after the war and Bob Allen began his long career in the visitor industry. Allen worked with the biggest names and companies in the industry, including Henry J. Kaiser and hotelier Roy Kelley.

Allen served as president of Gray Line Hawaii, Avis U-Drive, Shoreline Cruises, Travel Development Co., and Waikiki Airline Terminal. He also served as a director with Gray Line Sightseeing Companies of America and South Pacific Airways.

From 1964 to 1968, Allen was the executive vice president and managing director of what was then called the Hawaii Visitors Bureau. During his tenure, Allen helped to build the local tourism industry to what it is today.

After leaving the bureau, Allen served as a consultant to many Southeast Asian countries to set up their own versions of the HVB.

"The Hawaii Visitors Bureau was kind of the model for the whole general area and he took what knowledge he had gained from here and helped them start theirs along a similar line, tailored of course to each country," Billie Allen said.

Ironically, she said, because of his familiarity with the Philippines, her husband played a key role in developing tourism there.

William Quinn, Hawai'i's first governor, worked closely with Bob Allen to develop what would become the state's biggest industry. Through his wife, Nancy, the former governor said he appreciated the work that Allen did.

"He wanted to encourage (Allen) because he thought he was a great guy," Nancy Quinn said. "They helped one another. He was very proud of Bob Allen and thought he did a fine job."

Allen also was a charter member of the Pacific Area Travel Association, president of the Hawaii Polo Club, and a Rotarian for more than 35 years.

Allen is survived by wife, Helene "Billie"; daughters, Linda and Sherry; and two grandchildren. Private services have been held.