Kenneth R. "Ken" Allen

Kenneth R. "Ken" Allen obituary

FUNERAL HOME

Evergreen Memorial Gardens Funeral Chapel

1101 NE 112th Avenue

Vancouver, Washington

Kenneth Allen Obituary


KENNETH "KEN" R. ALLEN
March 24, 1951 ~ January 29, 2013

Kenneth R. Allen was a person of focused purpose and wide-ranging interests. He was a dominant force on the basketball court, both at Occidental College and in recreational settings. He was also an avid Cincinnati Reds fan. He had a hearty laugh, was naturally gregarious, loved music, and routinely led family members in singing southern gospel songs from the piano. He read deeply and widely. Topics ranged from business and economics to literature to theology. Fluent in the hard sciences, he was also passionate about people-family, friends, and colleagues. He loved teaching adult Sunday school classes as a way of working out how his faith should impact his life and relationships, and helping others do the same. As an entrepreneur and innovator, he was the founder, President and CEO of MetaPower, Inc. He had great enthusiasm for life's adventure.
Ken is survived by his wife, Peggy; three children, Jennifer (Jarod) Sears of Grandview, MO, Jacob (Rachel) Allen of Washougal, WA, and Joel (Sarah) Allen of Vancouver, WA; five grandchildren; his father and mother, Dr. Robert and Lois Allen of Harrisonville, MO, who pastored Churches of the Nazarene that included Camas, Vancouver and Woodland; three brothers, Dr. Bob (Barbara) Allen of Vancouver, WA, Ron Allen of Bad Berleberg, Germany, and Don (Donna) Allen of Harrisonville, MO; sister-in-law, Annette; and numerous nieces and nephews.
His youngest brother, Randy, preceded Ken in death in 2008.
Ken's unexpected death on January 29, 2013, is grieved by those who knew him but this grief is tempered by confidence that he has taken his place in heaven's grandstand, where he actively encourages us who remain to run with perseverance the race that he has successfully completed.
A memorial service will be held at 2:00 p.m. on Saturday, February 9, at the Hillcrest Church of the Nazarene, 14410 NW 21st Ave, Vancouver, Washington. Viewings will be held on Friday, February 8, from 7:00 to 9:00 p.m., and Saturday, February 9, from 9:00 to 11:00 a.m., at Evergreen Memorial Gardens, 1101 NE 112th Ave. in Vancouver. A private graveside will precede the memorial service.
Flowers can be sent to the church or to Evergreen Memorial Gardens. If you wish, in lieu of flowers, a memorial fund in Ken's name has been established at Real Life Community Church of the Nazarene. Contributions can be sent to the church at 2202 SE Bella Vista Road, Vancouver, WA 98683 or online at www.seekreallife.com/giving.php.
Please sign his Guest Book at www.columbian.com/obits.

Published by The Columbian on Feb. 6, 2013.
34465541-95D0-45B0-BEEB-B9E0361A315A

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Memories and Condolences
for Kenneth Allen

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Peggy, Jennifer, Jacob, and Joel (and families),
So sorry to hear about your husband/dad's/grandpa's, etc. passing. What an incredible man he was! I especially felt that way after the awesome memorial service. Wished we had known him even better. But what a legacy he has left!
So wanting to keep in touch with you now that you are back in the NW.
Please feel free to give us a call. After the memorial service, we watched the DVD of our trip back east, and when we stopped at KY. The boys remember that big swing and we got it on video and you as well, along with Jacob and his guitars. We should get together.
Give us a call or stop by anytime you are coming this way.
360-608-9731

Tammy Birnel

February 10, 2013

Peggy I am so sorry about your loss. It is not easy but you are strong and your faith will guide you through it.

Virginia Frieburg

February 9, 2013

So sorry Peggy and family. Giving you hugs and prayers.

Anna Ellsworth

February 9, 2013

I am so sorry to hear about Ken. My family has many good memories of Him and Peggy. All the good times at Cascade Park Church of the Nazarene. I do not think I ever saw Ken that he didn't have a huge smile on his face. We were truly blessed to have known him. I am sorry I cannot be there today, but will be thinking of you all.

Cyndi Segrin

February 9, 2013

Peggy, kids, and family, This is such a sad moment for all of us who started out so many years ago at Cascade Park Church of the Nazarene. Ken is/was always in the middle of all the good memories and accomplishments of that wonderful, little church. WIth Ken gone, the world has grown a little heavier.

Debbie Peteron

February 9, 2013

I was saddened to read of Kens passing. The Allen family will always hold a special place in my heart although it has been many years since holding worship services in the Crestview school and the beginning of the Belle Vista church, Those days made a very special impact in my life! My heart and prayers go out to Peggy and all of the Allen family.

Leisa Fawcett (Gimlin)( George and Eleanor Messicks Grand Daughter)

February 8, 2013

We are sorry for your loss; you are in our prayers.

Robert and Bonita Sears

February 8, 2013

Two times in my life Ken was one my deepest spiritual friends. My last two years of High School, and my first two years after college Ken and I would discuss for hours what it meant to be a follower of Christ. He challenged me to think and live in ways I would never have contemplated without his friendship. I still remember and tell people about Ken's painting, The Cleft of the Rock. What a great thinker. I cannot believe he is gone, but I have to say, "I am envious." What a time he is having. Finally home! Give Donna a big hug for me, brother. I will see you again. Peggy, so sorry for you and your precious kids and grandkids. Wish I could be there Sat. Celebrate his life and coronation. I will be thinking about and praying for all of you!

Bob Denham

February 7, 2013

Ken was a very kind man,our love and prayers go out to his wonderful family.

Ken and Dianne Marvel

February 7, 2013

I first met Ken in 1980 while working together at Pacific Power & Light in Portland. Over the past 32 years Ken and I worked together at four different companies.

With memories from so many years together, it is hard to summarize what Ken meant to me.

In 1998 I rejoined Ken at MetaPower (our fourth company together) where we worked together for the past 14 years. In all our years working together Ken always had a vision for something great. With MetaPower, he finally got a chance to fully pursue his dreams. Ken and I co-authored three patents, as well as other innovations that are the basis for MetaPower. We teased Ken that his ideas were so far "outside the box" that he didn't even know what the box looked like (so one company meeting we showed him).

Ken was an amazing musician. He loved to play the piano whenever he could. He even arranged to have a keyboard when he and Peggy were working up in northern Alberta, Canada. He enjoyed playing music with his entire family (I was able to join them once on one of their family jam-sessions).

Ken was a man of integrity and faith that permeated throughout all aspects of his life. We will miss him greatly.

John Prouty

February 6, 2013

Our brother in Christ, Ken Allen, truly will cheer us on from heaven, as he did in life here below! The smile that greeted my unwilling eyes from the obituary page was the same as I remembered. How we loved to get together on the rare occasions time and distance allowed, and were looking forward to a time to meet. His energy and positive thinking energized with possibilities, and his faith in our God gave encouragement to all, and certainly me. His untimely death fills me with sorrow for those who will have to go on without him, but fills me with joy for my dear friend is now enjoying our Savior face to face, a delight I pray all who knew Ken will eventually enjoy themselves. Blessings to all the family through this terrible time and prayers always.

George Fletcher

February 6, 2013

We knew Ken Allen as a best friend of our oldest son Bill when they played basketball for Santa Maria High school in 1968-69.Sadly they had just recently been able to renew that friendship when Bill and his family relocated to the Portland area. Our entire family sends thoughts and prayers of comfort to the Allens

Joan and Bill Wiley

February 6, 2013

I have known Ken for over a quarter of a century. He was a man of integrity and his word was his bond. Ken was a very caring and giving man. If he knew you had a need he was there to help you.
I first met Ken in 1987 when we both worked at Impell Pacific. On January 02, 1996, I met Ken at his home in Vancouver and on his kitchen table we drew up the documents to for MetaPower, Inc. (MPI).
Ken's vision was for MPI to be successful and profitable for those who invested time and money in the Company. No one worked harder than Ken to achieve this vision
Ken loved sports. He was a fan of all the major sports. He played basketball in college and loved the game. He also followed baseball. Ken was into the strategy of baseball. It was something he really enjoyed.
I will miss Ken in so many ways. He was a great leader as evidenced by where he has taken MetaPower. Ken always treated people with respect and would listen to other points of view. He will be greatly missed.
Steve Ivy

Steve Ivy

February 6, 2013

Ken was a wonderful person that we were just getting to know. We will miss him. Our thoughts and prayers are with the entire Allen family and friends.

Rod and Denise Weston

February 5, 2013

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