University community remembers engineering professor Christopher Allen

LAWRENCE — The University of Kansas community is remembering a longtime researcher and scholar in the School of Engineering. Christopher Allen, professor of electrical engineering & computer science, died Dec. 14, 2024. Services followed shortly thereafter.

“We are saddened to learn of the passing of KU scholar and educator Christopher Allen,” said Chancellor Douglas A. Girod. “On behalf of the entire University of Kansas community, I offer my sincere condolences to Professor Allen’s family and all those who knew him.”

Allen joined the university in 1994 as an assistant professor following a stint at Sandia National Laboratories in Albuquerque, New Mexico. At Sandia, he contributed to the development of radar technology and nuclear defense systems. At KU, he taught classes on electronic circuits, microwave remote sensing and radar. The university recognized him with multiple awards for his teaching, including two Center for Teaching Excellence awards.

He was promoted to associate professor in 1999 and to professor in 2004.

“We are all deeply saddened by Chris’ passing,” said Mary Rezac, dean of the School of Engineering. “He will be fondly remembered as a kind and caring individual who focused his immense talents on the education of future engineers and advancing remote sensing and radar systems. Chris was a wonderful colleague and will be greatly missed.”

Allen’s research interests circled around lightwave/photonics systems, microwave remote sensing and radar system design. He was issued patents for his work in 2015 and 2018. He invented technology with a doctoral student he advised, ultimately leading to a startup company that received a Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) grant from NASA.

“Chris was an engineer and educator of tremendous talent, and students in electrical engineering and computer science loved being in his classes,” said Erik Perrins, chair of the Department of Electrical Engineering & Computer Science. “He was also a respected leader and a mentor to many colleagues. We are very sad at his passing and will greatly miss his presence in the department.”