About Allen Shook
Allen Shook grew up in Muskego and graduated from Muskego High School. Then he attended the University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point, where he earned three degrees in Resource Management, Soils, and History, with a Minor in Environmental Law Enforcement. Following college, he enlisted in the U.S. Air Force, attending Officer Training School and pilot training in Texas. Allen served as a co-pilot on a KC-135 refueling jet at K.I. Sawyer Air Force Base in Michigan’s Upper Peninsula.
After his service, he returned home and married the love of his life in 1989. He began a career in road construction and eventually became a Supervising Inspector for the City of Waukesha’s Engineering Department. It’s a position he held for 33 years. In 1995, he joined Big Brothers Big Sisters and formed a lasting friendship with his little brother, Tom Pluess.
Allen Shook Today
In 2016 he retired to enjoy life and volunteer, teaching adults and children how to fish and hunt. For 25 years, he was a member of the Wisconsin Conservation Congress, advocating for Waukesha County conservation and environmental issues. During his tenure, he served as chairman of the Waukesha County Delegation, testifying at numerous hearings at the State Capitol.
Currently, he’s a member of the Waukesha County Conservation Alliance. This year, 2024, marked the inaugural kids’ fishing clinic at Wern Valley Sportsman’s Club, where they taught children and adults the joys of fishing. He and his wife also ran a small hobby farm, raising dairy goats, and were 4-H leaders for the goat project in Waukesha County. With his expertise in goat management, he has judged at several county fairs for at least 15 years.
Allen’s most recent volunteer work is with the Delafield American Legion Post 196 as a member of the honor guard. Through the American Legion, he has supported fellow veterans by participating in special events such as the Post 196 Annual Raccoon Feed and guarding The Moving Wall and the Wall That Heals.
Q: Please tell us a little bit about your family.
I married Cheri Hanseder from New Berlin in 1989. We were together until 2011, when she sadly passed away from cancer. We had no children.
Q: What do you love most about what you do?
I love seeing the excitement on people’s faces when they go hunting or fishing for the first time, especially the joy on kids’ faces when they succeed.
Q: What was the most difficult challenge in getting to where you are now or in your life?
Surviving a jet crash while serving in the Air Force was a life-altering experience. Initially, my parents were mistakenly informed that I had died in the accident. It was later discovered that the fallen soldier was actually another serviceman.
Q: What is the most rewarding part?
Being able to share my knowledge and skills with the people around me is immensely rewarding.
Q: What are some of your future goals? Do you have anything exciting coming up that you would like to share?
I take each day as it comes and continually look forward to teaching people about the great outdoors.
Q: What advice would you give to someone interested in doing something similar to what you have done/are doing?
Don’t be afraid to try new things.
Allen R Shook & Our Community
Q: What is your favorite thing about our community, favorite thing to do, or something unique about our community that you love? (Feel free to share as much as you’d like!)
My favorite thing about my community is living in a rural area with few houses and plenty of open land.
Q: Who is an interesting person you’ve met here in our community, and how have they inspired you?
My neighbor, a dedicated dairy farmer, continues to plant crops and raise and sell farm-raised beef.
Q: Do you have a favorite coffee shop, cocktail shop, or restaurant?
I enjoy stopping by Kwik Trip for coffee and visiting the Delafield Legion Post 196 for a fish fry and a cocktail.
For Fun
Q: What is something interesting that most people don’t know about you?
I’m not as gruff as I appear! Some people actually think I’m a nice guy.
Q: What is your favorite book, TV show, movie, poem, or song? Why?
Son of the Morning Star, by Evan S. Connell. Any western movie with hay burners.
Q: Who inspires you to be better?
My dear departed friend Gus.
Q: If you could have lunch with anyone, who would it be with? Why?
My dad.
Q: What is something on your bucket list?
Not sure if I have a bucket list.
Q: What makes you the happiest?
Seeing people succeed.
Q: Any general life advice you would like to share?
Try everything and don’t quit.
Nice To Meet You:
I believe in positively impacting my clients and the community I live in, which is why I jumped at the chance to be an ambassador with “The Faces of Lake Country”. It’s a perfect blend of why I enjoy being a Realtor with Shorewest, Realtors, and everything I love about living in Lake Country.
I truly enjoy being a part of this community and helping others along the way. Prior to real estate, I was an Office Supervisor for the City of Waukesha Park & Recreation Department. During this time, I had the opportunity to work with many business owners and serve the general public. It was there that I realized that it really does take a village to make a community great and each and every one of us plays an important role.
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