Allan received a B.S. Degree in 1964 from Roosevelt University, a Masters Degree from Emory University in 1969 specializing in Pharmacology/Physiology, and a PhD. from the University of Illinois, Chicago in 1973. Allan married Renee in 1964, they have two sons, Michael and Jason. Allan continued on at the University of Illinois doing postgraduate work until his untimely death in December, 1977 at age 34 from complications of diabetes.