All-America Allmendinger Dies

Ernest J. (Aqua) Allmendinger, a U-M AU-America football player, born and raised in Ann Arbor, died Monday. He was 82 years old and lived at 814 Henry St. A robust man who loved to walk, Allmendinger was an Ann Arbor High gradúate who went on to become an AUAmerica guard under Fielding H. Yost just before World War I. He then served his community for years as a city councilman, county road commission manager County Board of Supervisors member and staff member of the Hur Clinton Metropolitan Authority. Allmendinger loved a challenge. He certainly was not one of the biggest All-Americas ever to play for Michigan but what he lacked in size he made up in determination. After graduation from high school he worked for the railroad to strengthen his body for Michigan football. "Aquas just like a black'smith,' said Coach Yost when Allmendinger reported for practice to start the 1913 season. Michigan won six games that fall, lost one, and scored 175 points to its opponents' 21. It wasn't until 1917 that Walter Camp i named Allmendinger an All-America and it was after he had played for the Camp Sheridan, Ala., team. He served in the infantry and was discharged in 1919 as a captain. Allmendinger earned three varsity football letters at Ann Arbor High and later became one of four Ann Arbor High football players to become AUAmericans at Michigan. The group eludes John Maulbetsch, halfback, 1914; Otto Pommerening, tackle, 1928, and Bob Westfall, fullback, 1941. Allmendingér earned a bachelor of science degree in forestry at Michigan. During the summers of 1912 and 1913 he was employed by the Canadian Pacific Railroad in British Columbia. Following his studies at Michigan, he served as Yost's assistant for a year and later coached briefly at the South Dakota School of Mines and the Colorado School of Mines. He was city councilman in 1927 and 1929 and in 1946-47 was president of the Washtenaw Historical Society. He also served as president of the Washtenaw County Aubudon Society, the Ann Arbor Engineers and the Michigan Parks and Forestry Association. He joined the Washtenaw County Road Commission in 1921 as a foreman and was named acting manager and later its superintendent during World War II. In 1949, and for a period of several years, he served as volunteer veterans' reemployment rights committeeman for the county. His years of service with the Road Commission totaled 35 and he retired in 1960 after six years with the HuronClinton Metropolitan Authority. After his retirement, he served for a time as a member of the County Board of Supervisors representing the Third Ward. The post at that time was appointive. He was born on Aug. 25, 1890, the son of Henry and ' Wilhelmina Kraus Allmendinger and married Marie V. Donohue on March 26, 1921. He was a member of the Zion - Lutheran Church and the Thursday Noon Men's Luneheon Club. He was a familiar face among just about all local gatherings of Michigan lettermen. Surviving are his wife, two daughters, Mrs. Robert (Marian) Swinck of Ann Arbor and Mrs. Warren (Doris) Danekind of Oregon, Ohio, six grandchildren, two great grandsons and a niece, Mrs. Norman (Leah) Nelson of Lucerne. Cremation has taken place. A memorial service will be held at 4 p.m. Thursday at Zion Lutheran Church with the Rev. Fred Holtfreter officiating. Contributions may be made to the Zion Lutheran Memorial Fund. The family will receive friends in the Stellhorn Room of the church following the services.