Kenneth L. Allen M.D.

Kenneth L. Allen M.D. Passed away peacefully on August 24, 2008 after a long battle with chronic illness that never diminished his keen wit or brilliant mind. He was surrounded by his family, his loving wife of 63 years Mary Jean Haynes Allen; and sons Robert H. Allen M.D, Bruce L. Allen M.D., and Christopher F. Allen. Dr. Allen was born October 11, 1919 in San Jose, CA, to Glenn L. Allen and Emma Blanchard Allen. He was raised on a fruit ranch with his four siblings, Margaret Steacy of Millbrae, CA, Thomas Allen of Davis, CA, and two siblings who predeceased him, Bruce Allen and Loring Allen. He was a football and track standout at Santa Clara High School, graduating at the top of his class in 1938. He spent three years at UC Berkeley and was elected to Phi Beta Kappa his junior year while majoring in chemistry. He matriculated to Stanford Medical School in 1941, graduating in 1944. He did his surgical residency at the San Francisco General Hospital, where he became the youngest chief resident in the history of the hospital. It was there that he met Mary Jean Haynes, Stanford Class of 1942, who was a volunteer. They married in 1945, and for the next 63 years were inseparable. Dr Allen established a reputation for surgical excellence early in his career. While still a resident he saved a young woman with a stab wound of the heart, a uniformly fatal injury at that time. After residency he spent two years with the US Naval Medical Service, serving as a surgeon in Long Beach, CA. Thereafter, he spent two years as a fellow in surgery at the Cleveland Clinic, and returned to San Mateo in 1950 to establish a surgical practice at that he oversaw for 43 years, before retiring in 1993. During that time he established a record of hard work, concern for his patients, technical excellence, and integrity that has served as a model for all who were lucky enough to work with him. He pioneered the use of routine intra-operative cholangiograms, helped establish the utility of mechanical retractors in the operating room, and introduced surgical stapling devices. He was widely known for his dexterity, gentle atraumatic technique, and efficient procedures. Dr Allen was a devoted husband who always found time for his family. He taught his sons to hike and fish in the Sierra Nevada Mountains, to play golf, and to do their best by always "paying attention to details." When not in the operating room, he was happiest on the golf course. He shared his passion for the game with Mary Jean and numerous, loyal golfing buddies. He was a 50 year member of Peninsula Golf and Country Club and a founding member of Spyglass Hill in Monterey. He excelled at bridge, an activity he enjoyed in his later years. Most of all, he found great pleasure and pride in his family. He was gentle and kind and possessed a wonderful sense of humor. He will be terribly missed by his family and friends. He is survived by Mary Jean; his three sons; daughters-in-law Bonnie Allen, Christina Allen, Kristen Allen and Christine Remy; and 13 grandchildren. He will be remembered with great love and respect. At his request, there will be no memorial service.