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Ken was born May 25, 1936 in the Bronx, the son of Nathan and Jeanette (Fisherman) Allen. He graduated from Morris High School and then entered the army. He served in Germany during the Korean war from 1954 to 1956 as a radio operator. He first planned on making it his career but quickly realized that it was not the career for him.
After being honorably discharged from the Army, he attended City College of New York where he met Marcia Bonchek. Marcia would admit she hated all sports, but something about the announcer at the basketball games caught her attention. She would attend and listen to him. They were soon introduced and, after they graduated in 1959, were married in August.
Ken began work as a social studies teacher in New York City, in 1961 he attained his permanent teaching appointment to Bronx High School of Science, where he worked until his retirement in 1994. Ken was also an adjunct college professor at Sing Sing Prison and Bedford Correctional, as well as teaching classes at Yeshiva University, and various other institutions over the years.
The young couple began their family in 1964, having three daughters, Carol, Risa and Heidi, before they left the Bronx in 1972 for Yorktown Heights.
Ken spent summer vacations from school on camping road trips with the family, making several cross-country trips with the trailer. No matter the trip, however, there was always a recovery vacation in Maine. On more than one of these summer camping trips we ran into one of his former students.
After retirement Ken and Marcia traveled to Greece, France, Japan, Iceland, Israel, Germany, Italy and Malta among other places. They tried to travel at least once a year, usually as part of the Elder Hostel program.
In addition to his trips abroad, he loved going to Maine, Boothbay Harbor especially. After Marcia’s death, Ken continued to go to Maine with Risa’s family and when he wasn’t well enough to go in 2019, he still wanted to hear every detail and said “next year.” He would visit every art gallery he could get into and share stories about art and thoroughly enjoy it.
Ken was very involved with activities at the Yorktown Jewish Center, which he and Marcia had joined in 1973. He tried not to miss a shabbat service in all the years they belonged and especially liked the high holiday services and tried to participate in any way he could — from being an usher, moving the books for the holidays, doing a reading or an Aliyah at the bimah. He was part of the Men’s club, even president for a long stretch of time.
He helped out at Bingo, Rummage Sales, ran a table at the Flea Markets and the Arts & Crafts Sale. He would take pictures of many events over the years. He would talk lovingly about different activities there and saw the congregation as a second family. They were incredibly supportive to him after the passing of his wife.
Ken had a friendly way about him where he could befriend absolutely anyone, from a person on the street, to someone who may have walked in on him at a public restroom. He always had a story to tell or a comment to make. He had a terrific sense of humor and was good at finding the upside to most situations. He loved kids and would always want to see what kids were doing.
He could tell you anything about history, including every fact about the presidents, even things you didn’t ask about. He loved photography and prior to his wife’s death, he was almost annoying with his picture taking, capturing every moment in time to be admired at a later date. He also loved painting, and even up until days prior to his death he was taking a painting class to add to his collection. He was also an avid reader. He would read novels sometimes one or two a week. He had a love for baseball, especially the New York Yankees, and Giants football and would be drawn into any game that was televised.
Even though he retired from teaching in 1994, he had a lasting impact on many of his students. They described him as a great guy, strict but with a good sense of humor, wonderful person and mentor and a lovely and gentle man.
Ken was predeceased by his beloved wife Marcia, she was the love of his life, his “lady,” and after her death in 2010, he never got over her. He was predeceased by his parents, and his sister in law Deena Allen. He is survived by his brother Richard, daughters Carol Graham, Risa Lenney (Mike), and Heidi Murphy (Robert), Nephew Steven Shainmark, Niece Karen Lipson (Richard), Nephew Robert Allen (Sondra), Mark Allen (Michelle), Sister in law Elaine Shainmark (Norman). He leaves behind his cherished grandchildren Shayna and Ethan Lenney. He leaves many other cousins, close friends and congregants.
The family would also like to thank the workers at North Westchester Restorative Therapy & Nursing Center, and Dominic Davis, his primary caregiver for the past three years.
Internment was at King David Cemetery in Putnam Valley NY
Donations In his name may be made to Yorktown Jewish Center.
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