Allen Burl Birchler, 86, of La Crosse died Tuesday, Aug. 14, 2012, at the Gundersen Lutheran Medical Center.

Allen was born on Feb. 6, 1926, at the farm home near Bristol, Colo., to Blanche Musick and William Birchler. He was the seventh of 13 children. He married Margaret Granstrom on Aug. 15, 1950, at the First Presbyterian Church in Hastings, Neb.

Allen attended grade school and the first year of high school in Bristol. This area was in the center of the drought, soil erosion and dust storms in the 1930s. The family moved to California in December 1941. Allen finished his high school education in Escalon, Calif. Those years were some of the most significant of his life. There he learned about two institutions that became paramount in his life: higher education and the Christian church. Allen became involved in the Presbyterian youth group and with the special care of the pastor and his wife he became committed to the Christian faith. He was baptized on Dec. 31, 1947, at the age of 21 years and joined the Escalon Presbyterian Church. After graduation from high school, he spent from August 1945 to March 1947 in the United States Army.

Upon his honorable discharge from the Army, he attended Modesto Junior College in California for one year and then three years at Hastings College in Hastings, Neb. He graduated in 1951. Following graduation he enrolled in the San Francisco Theological Seminary in San Anselmo and received the bachelor of divinity degree in 1954.

Allen received a call to the Presbyterian Church in Roxbury, Kan., and was ordained by the Presbytery of Wichita on July 28, 1954. After his pastorate in Kansas he decided to pursue another dream of going to graduate school and preparing for college teaching. He received his masters and Ph.D. in history from the University of Nebraska in Lincoln in 1965. His research field was Scottish Presbyterian Church history, 1585-1638. He served as part-time pastor at two Presbyterian churches near Lincoln during those years.

The family moved to La Crosse in 1965 when Allen accepted a position in the history department at UW-La Crosse. He taught Tudor and Stuart English History, European Survey, world history, church history, military history and some specialized courses in European history. He also served terms on the faculty senate, being chair one year, was on many faculty committees and served three terms on the UW-L Foundation Board. Allen also was active in the John Knox Presbytery and served churches in North Bend and Mindoro on a part-time basis. He retired from UW-L in 1990 and from the churches in 1992.

Allen was an avid reader, always wanting to continue learning. He enjoyed working in the yard and had beautiful flower beds. He also spent time writing about his life. Allen was loving and kind to his wife, Margaret, and to his children and grandchildren.

Allen is survived by his wife of 62 years, Margaret; his four children, Mary Ann (Jim) Polewski of Madison, Mark (Jan) of Roselle, Ill., David of Madison and Steven of La Crosse; and four grandchildren, Katrina Polewski of Madison, Matthew (Beth) of Rockford, Ill., Michael of Chicago and Sara of Roselle. He also is survived, all living out of state: three brothers, Wilbur (Sally), Floyd and Jimmie; one sister, Verla (Virginia); and many nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents, five brothers and three sisters.

A memorial service will be held at 2 p.m. on Saturday, Aug. 25, at First Presbyterian Church, 233 West Ave., La Crosse. The Rev. Doctor J. Taylor Haley will officiate. Friends may call at the church on Saturday from 12:30 p.m. until time for the service. Light refreshments will be served in Fellowship Hall after the service. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be given to the Allen B. Birchler Lecture Fund at UW-La Crosse Foundation to bring speakers to campus, or to the Allen B. and Margaret Birchler Scholarship Fund for students at San Francisco Theological Seminary. Coulee Region Cremation Group is assisting the family.