Briggs, Allen Kenneth

Allen Kenneth Briggs, 41, died suddenly on Saturday night, March 3, 2012, at home in Blacksburg, Va. He is survived by his wife, Elizabeth Pandolfo Briggs; and sons, Allen Raymond and Grayson Thomas, both turning 11 on March 12. A Memorial Service in the manner of Friends will be held at 2 p.m. on Saturday, April 14, 2012, at Blacksburg Friends Meeting, 404 Mount Tabor Rd., Blacksburg, Va. Allen was born in Oak Ridge, Tenn., on June 11, 1970, the son of Elizabeth Hodnett Addison and the late Gary Allen Briggs. He is survived by his mother and stepfather, James C. Addison Jr., of Cullowhee, N.C.; his siblings, Jeremy David Briggs, of Weaverville, N.C., Sara Addison-Kristel, of Greensboro, N.C., and Jesse B. Addison, of Atlanta; plus in-laws, Dean and Karen Lorenz, of Columbia, S.C., and Robert and Katherine Luvaga, of Burnsville, N.C.; and numerous aunts, uncles, and cousins. Allen was a computer software designer who was interested in digital devices from childhood in Sylva, N.C. He was educated at NCSSM and Virginia Tech, where he majored in Computer Science and got involved in the open-source software NetBSD. Before and after graduation, he did work for several small computer firms and joined Apple, Inc. four and a half years ago. He was adept at solving compatibility issues and generous with his talents. His colleagues and family appreciated his problem-solving ability, his kindness, and his gentle demeanor. A Quaker, Allen had become active in Blacksburg Friends Meeting and Baltimore Yearly Meeting, and he cherished his experiences at Camp Celo in Burnsville, N.C. He was committed to social justice and other Quaker values. A networker, he kept connections active in all areas. Among his reading interests were science fiction and poetry, especially Yeats. He loved travel and had a special interest in Japan. Most recently he was pursuing a pilot’s license and had almost achieved it. In lieu of flowers, Allen’s preferred charities are Doctors without Borders, American Friends Service Committee, and the North Carolina School of Science and Mathematics. McCoy Funeral Home, Blacksburg, Va., is assisting with arrangements.