Kenneth D Allen

Ken and his beloved wife, Donna, traveled the world and lived a fascinating life in Washington DC, Texas and London, England, while their hearts remained in Estes Park. Ken first visited Estes with his parents in 1953 and returned with his own family in the summer of 1973 to vacation at the YMCA of the Rockies. They visited the YMCA on numerous occasions over the years, finally realizing that more than anywhere else they had lived, this was their true home where they wanted to retire.

They moved to Estes full time in 1997. This last chapter of his life was enriched by an amazing group of friends, pot-luck picnics, wonderful grandchildren visits, supreme court classes, pickleball, tennis and many, many wonderful rounds of golf. Ken loved their life in Estes Park so much and Estes Park loved Ken. He will be dearly missed.

Born April 5, 1939 in Missouri, Ken spent his childhood in Warrensburg. He joined the Boy Scouts and achieved the rank of Eagle Scout. Ken went on to embody the spirit of the Boy Scout Law throughout his life.

In 1961 he met Donna Sue Viator. It was love at first sight for Ken. He courted her for a mere 6 months before convincing her to marry him the day after her 21st birthday.

Ken received his Bachelor of Arts at Central Missouri State where he graduated as President of his Class. As an officer of the National Student Association, he was invited to Cuba after the Revolution where he interviewed both Fidel Castro and Che Guevara.

After graduation, Ken moved to Washington D.C. and earned a Law Degree at George Washington University. He later became a senior advisor to Missouri Senator Stuart Symington.

In 1971, Ken left Washington for Texas to start a long and successful career in the private sector. He worked in insurance and oil, rising to become President of Southwestern Life Insurance Company and Deputy General Counsel of Tenneco Inc. While raising a family in Texas, Ken spent his free time coaching little league basketball, playing golf, volunteering with the Boy Scouts, Indian Guides, and just being a great dad.

He later moved to London as Managing Director and General Counsel of Tenneco Europe. In this post, he enjoyed life in England as an expat, with frequent trips to the countryside and the continent and even more frequent trips to the local pub with his beloved dog Gizmo.

During the summers of 1982 and 1983, he attended The Harvard University School of Business where he received a certificate from the Advanced Management Program. In 2004, he returned to Central Missouri State University to receive an Honorary Doctor of Laws Degree for a lifetime of achievement and service.

An Anglophile and avid historian, Ken amassed an impressive library and amazing collection of WWII military memorabilia. He passed on his love of sports, travel, and history. His abiding curiosity, humor, and empathy drew out the best in people. No one was a wallflower for long in his company.

He is survived by his wife Donna, daughter Kristin Allen Jones, three sons Jeffrey Scott Allen, Timothy Brian Allen, and Bradley Todd Allen, their spouses, Finn-Olaf, Yllisia, Lisa, and Tracy, and twelve grandchildren Jake, Austin, Gage, Morgan, Katherine, Leif, Brendan, Gavin, Cody, Stellan, Vivian, and Mason Colt and innumerable friends and colleagues whose lives were indelibly changed by his calm, loving and wise presence.

A Celebration of Life will be held at a later date. To help celebrate Ken’s life, please consider making a memorial contribution to either the YMCA of the Rockies or Estes Park Medical Center at www.allnuttestespark.com. Messages for Ken’s family can also be left on the website.