Allen Kenneth Theodore

Allen Kenneth Theodore spent as much as possible of his 60 years in life enjoying the beautiful outdoors of rural Alaska. An avid hunter, fisherman, and overall adventurer, he was known for the elaborate outdoor trips he would take friends on and his extreme friendliness towards all those he encountered.

Allen passed away from COVID-19 on December 22, 2020, just three days before Christmas. At the time, he was incarcerated at Goose Creek Correctional Center in Wasilla, Alaska. He had just celebrated his 60th birthday on November 2.

Known to many as “Al” and to his Uncle Johnny as “The Meat Eater,” Allen lived his entire life in Alaska. He was born in Anchorage and grew up north of Willow, and, with seven sisters and two brothers, he had a large family. The importance of family to Allen is reflected in his reputation for always taking care of his parents, Herbert William Theodore and Lillian Stephan, and his younger sisters. In addition to his adventurous spirit, he also possessed a knack for playing the guitar. At the time of his death, he was a father to two daughters, Paula and Wanda.

Allen was able to appeal to his adventurous side in his occupation; after receiving training in heavy equipment operations in Oregon, he worked in that field for Western Geophysical on the North Slope and at the family campground at Montana Creek (nicknamed “Chetta’s Campground”). In addition, he was a talented carpenter. Neighbors, employers, and even the former Alaska governor spoke fondly of him, characterizing him as “hard-working” and “dependable.”

Allen’s lawyer, Gavin Kentch, has spoken out in the wake of his client’s death about the injustices of his dying behind bars. Gavin wrote in an op-ed for The Bristol Bay Times, “There is no death penalty in Alaska state law. But he was sentenced to jail, and died as a result.” Gavin also points out that Allen was unable to see his family for the last nine months of his life due to pandemic-induced visitation restrictions. 

“He was very much a real person who had hopes and dreams,” Gavin said in an interview with Alaska Public Media, “and [he] was able to pursue them while in jail.” 

Allen’s hopes and dreams were stolen from him when his life was cut short due to COVID-19. He will be remembered for his love for his family and outdoors, and we mourn his loss.

This memorial was written by MOL team member Eliza Kravitz with information from correspondence with Gavin Kentch, an obituary published by Frontiersman, and reporting by Gavin Kentch in The Bristol Bay Times and Alaska Public Media.