Allen William Archer

Allen William Archer, 70, of Manhattan, Kansas, died Friday, August 12, 2022. Al was a Professor Emeritus of Geology at Kansas State University and a long-time resident of Manhattan.

Al was born June 7, 1952, in Harford City, Indiana, the son of Don and Martha (McColly) Archer. He attended college at Indiana University and Oregon State, and Al received a PhD in Geology from Indiana University.

Al was a Professor of Geology at Kansas State for more than three decades, where his expertise was in tidal sediments at river deltas. Al’s research took him to the great rivers of the world, and his particular passion was for the Amazon.

Al spent much of his spare time tinkering and playing music. He built musical instruments and made robots. He played the dobro, banjo, and pedal steel guitar, and performed with a local old-time country bluegrass band.

Al was married to Lori Zinn for more than 30 years, and later divorced. Lori and Al had two daughters, Hannah and Emily, who grew up in Manhattan.

Al has in recent years lived with his partner, Lucy Wanja, in Manhattan.

Al is survived by his partner Lucy, his daughters, and his brother, Don Archer of Berkeley, California.

A memorial service celebrating Al’s life will be held at 3:00 pm, Saturday, September 24, 2022, at Campanella & Stewart Funeral Home in Wamego.  The family will greet friends prior to the service beginning at 2:00 pm. Online condolences may be made at www.campanellastewart.com.