Kenneth “Ken” Owen Allen Jr.

AUGUSTA – Kenneth “Ken” Owen Allen Jr., 76, passed away peacefully in his sleep on March 28, 2023 at MaineGeneral in Augusta. He was born on Dec. 2, 1946, a son of Kenneth and Dorothy (French) Allen Sr..

Ken grew up in Windsor and was a graduate of Erskine Academy in the class of 1964. During his school years, he was an accomplished athlete, playing football, basketball, and baseball. Following high school, he went on to further his education at the University of Maine at Orono where he majored in English Literature and Creative Writing and graduated in 1969. He later earned his teaching certificate from UMA. One of his favorite memories of his young adulthood was backpacking through Europe.

For several years, Ken taught English at Lawrence High School. He later became a full-time writer and had a regular column at the Kennebec Journal in the outdoors section called “Allen Afield”, writing for over 40 years. He was also the associate editor of The Maine Sportsman. An accomplished writer, Ken published two books, a cookbook entitled “Cooking Wild” and another book entitled “Guide to Upland Bird Hunting”. Throughout his career he was published in over 90 publications, including national magazines. Even after retirement and throughout his illness, he was actively working on four novels. Although Ken led an accomplished career as a writer, he was most proud of being a father to his two daughters, Heather and Katelyn, and grandfather “Bumpa” to his three grandchildren.

Ken remained active all his life and was an avid cyclist. He was a true Mainer with a love for the outdoors and enjoyed fly-fishing, hunting, birdwatching, wildlife photography and tending his gardens. He was a dog lover and was happiest with one of his labs by his side.

Ken is survived by his loving daughters Heather Allen and her partner, Phillip Szela; Katelyn Pushard and her husband Brian, and grandchildren, Brice, Luke and Eve Pushard; former wife and mother of his daughters, Marguerite “Margie” Gingras Allen; and special cousin, Buddy Norton.

He was predeceased by his parents.

A period of visitation will be held on Wednesday, April 5 from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. at Plummer Funeral Home, 16 Pleasant St., Augusta. Burial will take place in the spring at Oak Hill Cemetery, Route 32, Windsor. Condolences, stories, and photos may be shared by visiting http://www.plummerfh.com.