Howard E. “Bud” Allen

Howard E. "Bud" Allen
~ A local legend ~
1922 ~ 2008

It is with sadness and heavy hearts that we say goodbye to our Dad but it is comforting to know that he left this world a better place for having been a part of it and also knowing that he lived life to the fullest, seizing every moment of every day and taking on new challenges, new projects and making new friends until the day he died.   Al Smith once described Bud saying, "He is irrepressible, some say irresponsible. He's a spur-of-the-moment guy, a piece of mercury, impossible to pin down. He's a lot of fun, Peck's bad boy who never grew up and never will…" We knew our Dad as bright, loving, optimistic, and successful; he could dance, he could sing and he could throw a party like nobody's business; he could do anything. One of his favorite sayings was "smile and the world smiles with you, frown and you frown alone." To say Bud was a people person is an understatement. Bud was a teacher and he was a student, often traveling the world, bringing us along in search of new adventures while always keeping an eye out for that unique trinket to buy for one of his many friends, houses or hotels. Bud was many things to many people but at his core he was kind and generous. Bud gave his time, expertise and money to anyone in need. What many people don't know is that Bud gave away most of his money before he was advised to do so. When he saw a person who needed help, he never hesitated. While he made significant donations to a number of charities, he will be most remembered for the favors he did for his friends, like the truck he gave to a contractor, housing he provided to a friend or an employee, a scholarship for a kid to go to school or the time he gave June his hat after she commented that she liked it. Later she told me that she was relieved that she didn't comment on his pants!
I am sure we all have our own stories of how Bud helped us in some way. Bud loved people and people loved Bud; he made friends everywhere he went. It didn't matter to Bud how much you had or what you did as long as you were honest, upbeat and loyal. Bud could just as easily be seen hanging out with a handyman or dining with a dignitary.
   Bud grew up in the Midwest and started his business career as a salesman for the Armstrong Cork Company. He later met and married Char and moved to the Monterey Peninsula in the late 1950's, where he began his career in the hotel restaurant business at the Mark Thomas Inn. He and Char had four children, Tom, Tim, Patrice and Laura, who they raised in the stable they converted into a wonderful, warm, Mediterranean home where Char still lives today. They bought and renovated the La Playa Hotel, making it the place to be in Carmel. He later opened and operated several local watering holes including "Buds Pub", bought and sold a number of houses and became involved with a multitude of events, causes, foundations and happenings. He's a past president of Carmel Rotary and the California Hotel and Motel Association, was the Commodore of the Stillwater Yacht Club and started the Hookers and Hustlers Ball. He founded the Father Farrell Fund, started the 39 Craftsmen show and was one of the founders of the California Wine Festival. He was also the instigator who convinced Clint to run for mayor! Bud has done so much; he lived a rich and full life and leaves us a legacy and example to follow. We will miss our Dad but know that there is a little part of him in all of us and his many friends. A couple of months ago, he sent us a card with the picture you see above. Inside the card was a motto that he lived by and it is… "Life should not be a journey to the grave with the intention of arriving safely in an attractive and well-preserved body, but rather to skid in sideways, chocolate in one hand, martini in the other, body thoroughly used up, totally worn out and screaming "WOO HOO what a ride!" We love you, Pa, and thanks for the ride!
~ Tim, Tom, Patrice and Laura