L. Allan Shontz, 1920-2009

St. Louis Post-Dispatch [MO] - 30 January 2009

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  L. Allan Shontz died peacefully in his sleep on January 27, 2009. Allan was born on January 16, 1920, in Jerome, Iowa, to Loren and Jennie Shontz and attended a one room school house at five years of age. One year later the family relocated to the Blue Valley area of Kansas City, Missouri, and they moved several times due to flooding. Allan attended the KC public schools, graduating from Paseo High School and was an Eagle scout. He was awarded a degree in electrical engineering from KU and married his childhood sweetheart Mary Brandt in 1941.

  Allan entered the Navy as a lieutenant and trained in radar for one year at Harvard and MIT, with wartime duty in Portsmouth NH on submarine radar.  After WWII he returned to KC and worked at Vendo Co in research and development. He fathered five children, raised them in Raytown, and was actively involved in volunteer work. In addition to career and family, he built two homes with his father and completed his MBA from UMKC. 

  The second chapter of Allan's life began in 1973 with his marriage to Lillian Heine Kemper. His new blended family included three more children. Allan founded TelCon Associates of St Louis, a telecommunications consulting firm, when he was 56. He retired in 1993 and enjoyed several years of international travel. We will always remember his funny songs, his cheerful whistle, his delight in KU basketball, his love of ice cream and his signature stocking cap. 

  Services: Please join in the celebration of life at the Shawnee Mission Unitarian Universalist Church at 2 p.m. on Friday, January 30, 2008, located at 7725 West 87th Street, Overland Park, KS. Allan is preceded in death by his parents and his sister Vivian Soraci. He is survived by his wife Lillian of the home at Lakeview Village in Lenexa, Kansas, 8 children, 17 grandchildren, 7 great grandchildren, a sister, nieces and nephews.  In lieu of flowers, the family suggests contributions to the Ethical Society of St. Louis.  Arr: DW Newcomer's Sons. 913.451.1860.