Louis Allen
Oct. 8, 1917-Dec. 1, 2010
Palo Alto, California

Louis (Lou) Allen, 93, a longtime resident of Palo Alto, died Dec. 1, 2010.

The son of Israel Nathan Allen and Emma Greenberg Allen, Louis was born in Glace Bay, Nova Scotia, and raised in Republic Washington where he was valedictorian of his high school class of 12 students. A graduate of Washington State University, he was the three-time Pac 8 heavyweight boxing champion and student leader.

During World War II he served in the Air Force in Central America where he achieved the rank of Major and was awarded the Distinguished Service Medal, the highest noncombatant award given by the Armed Services. After the war he returned home, married Ruth Graham, and went to work for Alcoa in Pittsburgh.

After stints with The Conference Board and Booz, Allen & Hamilton he moved to Palo Alto in 1958 and founded the management consulting firm Louis Allen Associates. His clients included Standard Oil, Union Carbide, Merrill Lynch and many other industry leaders and the firm opened offices in South Africa, Australia, Singapore and Europe.

In 1962 his book "The Management Profession" won the McKinsey Award and was translated into seven languages. During his travels, he developed an interest in native art and he collected extensively in Africa and Australia. His book "Time Before Morning" documented the myths of Australian aboriginal artists. A major part of his collection of bark paintings is now exhibited at the Art Gallery of Western Australia in Perth.

Despite his extensive travels, Lou was a devoted husband and father who led many hiking, camping and travel adventures with Ruth and with the entire family. When family members had problems, he always showed up and helped. He was an astute observer and had an uncanny knack of asking questions that got right to the heart of the matter.

He is survived by five children and spouses and their many grandchildren. Mike Allen and Sharon (Santa Cruz, Calif.); Ace Allen and Donna Oberstein (Overland Park, Kan.); Steve Allen (Durango, Colo.); Terry Allen Beck and Randy (Mount Hermon, Calif.); and Deborah Allen and Dan Buffo (Soquel, Calif.).

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