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Kimball Allen Obituary

Kimball W Allen 9-29-19 to 9-17-11 Kimball Allen died in peace at home on September 17, just short of his 92nd birthday. He was born and raised in Burlington, Kansas and loved to tell stories of his childhood there. Kimball was a bright and witty young man, but not especially motivated as a student. He dropped out of school after the 6th grade in the midst of the dust bowl and the depression and ventured west to San Francisco, a city he came to love dearly. He was able to find work as a Western Union messenger, a"gofer" with a gold mining company, and iron worker in the Martinolich ship yard. During WWII he served in the 5th Army Marine Ship Repair Company and spent most is his time during the war in New Guinea and as part of the occupying force in Japan. Returning from the war, Kimball and a partner purchased a 105 foot surplus boat, named it the Allen-Cody and started a shark fishing enterprise for the Vitamin A content of the liver which was in demand at that time. Kimball was a problem solver, a creative genius and an inventor. He developed the first coin operated laundry mat. It was such a novel concept that he had to hire an attendant with a white uniform just to explain the concept and the use of the equipment. He soon had a small chain of laundry mats in San Francisco. He never stopped inventing and later he developed and patented a coin operated shoe shine machine which he manufactured himself. In the late 60's, Kimball became interested in the natural food business, and he opened the Stanyan Street Natural Food Store. This became the first of a small chain of stores still well known as "The Real Food Company", which he and his wife Jane, owned and operated until 2003. Kimball and Jane also opened the Noe Valley Bar and Grill in the mid 70's which was known both for its food and the carved redwood decor that Kimball designed and did much of the crafting himself. They followed with another restaurant in 1980 called Kimball's which was next to the Opera House on Grove Street. Besides serving the patrons and staff of the arts, the restaurant became famous as a jazz club. They also opened Caf Allegro next door to the restaurant. In 1989 he and Jane opened Kimball's East in Emeryville where many of the great names in jazz played, including Herbie Hancock, Wynton Marsalis and Dizzy Gillespie among others. In his 80's he opened Kimball's Carnival night club with an adjacent pool hall and sports bar in Jack London Square. Into his 90's, Kimball continued to develop new ideas. Kimball always followed his curiosity wherever it led him. He remained brilliant and focused on his latest project up to the time of his passing. Kimball is survived by his beloved wife of 35 years, Jane Annan Allen, sister Jeanice Pokorny, daughter Annilee Allen, devoted grandsons; Donald Shannon, Patrick Shannon, and Cheyenne Woods and their spouses, Alisa, Katie and Kim, and great grandchildren, Makayla, Hunter, Colton, and Shana. He was preceded in death by his daughter, Kim Allen and his sister, Ruth. His family and friends will forever remember Kimball for his curious nature, his amazing sense of humor, his charm, his intellect and his integrity. A remembrance gathering will take place. Friends interested in attending are asked to contact the family at [email protected]

To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.

Published by San Francisco Chronicle from Sep. 21 to Sep. 25, 2011.

Memories and Condolences
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Group of 10 Memorial Trees

Carre Harris

Planted Trees

Rolland Makinano

April 15, 2016

Didn't know.
Been away fron the bay area for 20 years.
We had dinner at Kimball's East
while watching the Yellow Jackets play.
Great great venue.
Also went ti Kimballs in the city
and watched Pete Escovedo
played.

RIP sir.

Pamela Olson

October 29, 2011

Dear Jane and Family,
I just heard about Kimball's passing and am so sorry for your loss. He was an unassuming man who led quite the interesting life. I remember one time Kimball wrote a phone number on his car seat when he didn't have a note pad! And he was so concerned when our rent check bounced after we changed bank branches and the change didn't consider the checks we'd written. Kimball called to see if we were having financial problems and was going to work something out with us. And he was always kind to our downstairs neighbor, Alice. Kimball will be missed by all. My thoughts are with you and your family.

Michael & Holly Woods

October 19, 2011

We would like to send, all of our Family our 'LOVE' of the loss of THEIR GRANDFATHER,Rock,Mentor......the list could go on for ever. I,myself only wish I could have,had more of a chance to know Kimbell.Surely he could have given me great wisdom as the Father I never had.Im greatful for the little time we shared. Dear Sweet Jane you are the glue that holds this family together!! WE wish you the best,always !

Like a 2nd family Mike & Holly

cheyenne woods

September 26, 2011

I miss you grandpa. i will make you proud! i love you very much. until we meet again..............

September 26, 2011

My deepest sympathy to the Allen family. I always admired Kimball very much!!

Love, Peggy Cook-Wooten

September 26, 2011

I will never forget Kimball's delight in creating his restaurants and clubs. He was such an important presence as my employer , and like a favorite uncle when I worked for him and Jane at the Noe Valley Bar and Grill, and then at Kimball's on Grove in SF. I will always remember Kimball with great fondness and respect for his kindness, gentle but firm decisions, and the fact that he saved my butt when a manager tried to fire me for insubordination.
I was able to get through graduate school by working at Kimball's in SF.

My warmest regards to Jane and sympathy for your loss.
Phylis Kramer

Jamie Andrade

September 26, 2011

Although I never knew him, my aunt worked with Mr. Allen at Kimball's East and I have heard countless stories of what a great man he was. My condolences go out to your family as you remember and celebrate such an extraordinary life.

Carol Spohn

September 24, 2011

Kimball Allen and my father partnered together in the 50's and 60's when he ran his coin-op laundromats. My father continued the business after Kimball and Annalee started the Stanyan Street store, later named Real Food Co.
Kimball appreciated kids who wanted to work, and was cool enough to give me a job when I was sixteen at Stanyan. I saved enough money to attend the Sorbonne in Paris for a year.
Kimball was the real deal. I'll never forget him and my father in the early 70's talking up a storm, from taxes to progress on his new adventure, the 24th Street. He was so proud of the woodwork in that store. His energy was infectious!
I will miss him (and my father, who died in 2001) dearly, he was quite a guy.

Makayla

September 23, 2011

Kimball Allen, my great grandfather was an incredible man. And for as long as I can remember he was always sitting at his drafting table creating new projects. I loved my great grandpa dearly, and the memories I have of him will contiue to live on.

Elaine Bachelder

September 23, 2011

I was so sorry to hear of your loss. Please let me know if there is anything I can do to help at this time.

September 23, 2011

Although I did not know Kimball Allen personally his legacy as a jazz impressario is well respected and I enjoyed many of the cultural activities he brought to the community.

Wiith deep respect,
Katherine Cook Rainsberger

Ed Sullivan

September 23, 2011

Dear Jane and Annilea,
Kimball was always a great pleasure to work with in creating a new endeaver. He displayed a great energy and deliberate patience in dealing with the people who helped in his projects.
I and the men who worked for me always felt a great pride in participating.
Kimball is one for the ages, never to be forgotten.

With love, Ed Sullivan

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