Dr. David Coulter Allison

Dr. David C. Allison, “Dave” of Rossford, Ohio had it all and did it all - a beautiful family, lovely home, amazing career, and many adventures and hobbies. He wasted none of his 83 years.

Dave died peacefully at home surrounded by his family on July 17, 2025, following a period of illness. He was born in Detroit, Michigan on June 2, 1942, to William Allison and Dorothy Allison (nee Watson) and grew up in Grosse Pointe Farms with his parents and younger brothers Richard (Susan) and Mark (Patti). In 1967 Dave received his Medical Doctor degree from the University of Michigan and then completed an internship at the University of Chicago. He then served as a surgeon in the U.S. Army Medical Corps Reserve in Vietnam and at Walter Reed Army Hospital in Washington, D.C. When in Vietnam Dave met the love of his life, Elizabeth “Betsy” (nee Ward) who ran an arts and crafts program for lightly wounded G.I.s. They married in September 1970 and were entirely devoted to each other for almost 55 years of marriage. After finishing his military service, they moved to Chicago where Dave earned a PhD in Microbiology at University of Chicago and completed his surgical residency, serving as Chief Resident.

Dave and Betsy raised three children, Tiffany Harvey (Christopher Harvey) born in 1973, Beth Allison (Arslan Magomedkhabibov) born in 1975, and Matthew Allison, born in 1977. Dave and Betsy raised their children to be public interest minded, make the most of their time, and pursue their dreams.

As a surgeon, researcher and medical professor, Dave was determined to cure cancer. His prolific and impactful contributions to the cellular biology field brought the world closer to that goal. He co-authored more than 60 peer-reviewed articles on oncology and surgical topics between 1973 and 2014, many additional abstracts, and lectured throughout the country and abroad. He was a skilled and ambitious general surgeon who saved thousands of lives, performing numerous complex and high stress operations over many decades. He was singularly focused on the best outcome for his patients and treated everyone with compassion. He was a member of several professional associations, including the American Surgical Association and the Cell Kinetics Society, in which he held leadership positions. He was on several editorial boards, including the Journal of Surgical Oncology.

Dave’s career took the family all over the country. After finishing his residency in Chicago, the family moved to Albuquerque, New Mexico in 1978, where Dave served as an Assistant and then Associate Professor of Surgery at the University of New Mexico and Assistant Chief of Surgical Service at the Veterans Administration Medical Center. The family enjoyed the stunning natural beauty and relaxed local culture. In 1986 the family moved to Baltimore County, Maryland when Dave accepted the appointment as Chief of Surgical Oncology at Johns Hopkins. There, the family enjoyed local seafood and explored the Eastern seaboard. In 1992 Dave became the Chief of Surgery at the Medical College of Ohio (now University of Toledo College of Medicine) and the family moved to Rossford, Ohio. Living in Rossford and working at the University of Toledo, Dave found his forever home and work home.

Dave served as Director of the University of Toledo Medical School’s Advanced Microscopy Center starting in 1996. He mentored generations of surgeons and researchers over the years. Dave continued his clinical work at Veterans Administration Hospitals for a total of 20 years in Albuquerque, Baltimore and then Fort Wayne, Indiana. Dave continued to practice medicine well into his 70’s and continued his research and close collaboration with fantastic colleagues until two years prior to his death.

Despite the demands of his career, David came home for dinner every night and planned regular fun family outings and vacations, including several cross-country road trips in the family’s “battle van.” He attended and supported his children’s and grandchildren’s activities and had many hobbies and interests. David had a wicked sense of humor, shared by Betsy, and was a voracious reader. He enjoyed Michigan football and Detroit Tigers’ baseball, learning about history, sharing stories and his knowledge, and a healthy debate. Dave loved attending opera and musical performances and learning about and collecting art. To Betsy’s chagrin Dave loved pets, including Irish Wolfhound dogs and Fred the parrot, now age 37. Dave loved his beautiful home in Rossford that was “big enough in case the children all come back” and enjoyed 33 years there. The family enjoyed many dinners on the back deck over the years. Dave wished and was able to age in place at home.

Until the very end, Dave believed in the power of individuals to effect change and address the serious issues in our world. His last few days were focused on devising and delegating a plan to save the universe - he never thought small. He will be dearly missed.

Dave is survived by his wife, children, sons-in-law, brothers, sisters-in-law, five grandchildren: Marc Harvey (26), Isabel Harvey (22), Liam Harvey (19), Kamil Magomedkhabibov (14), and Amalia Harvey (11), as well as three nieces and two nephews, two grand-nieces and five grand-nephews, many dear friends and colleagues, and Fred the parrot. He was predeceased by his parents and brother-in-law and sister-in-law Stefan and Frances Schiff.

Visitation will be on Saturday August 2, 2025, from 2-6 PM at the Sujkowski-Walker Funeral Home located at 830 Lime City Road, Rossford, OH 43460. A short Memorial Service, with time for remarks, will take place starting at 4 PM. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the University of Toledo Medical School in Dave’s honor: https://www.utoledo.edu/med/give/