Allen J. Block, 93, of Prairie Village, KS, Founder and Chairman of the Board of Block & 
Company, Inc., Realtors, passed away peacefully at home on January 19, 2009 surrounded by his family. He was born on April 23, 1915 in Kansas City, MO to Max and Beatrice Block. He graduated from Westport High School and attended Kansas City Community College. He married Gloria Lissauer on March 4, 1950 and he and Gloria had three sons, Stephen, Kenneth, and Michael.
He was very involved in social and community activities. He was a member of the Carriage Club, Vice President and Director of Oakwood Golf & Country Club, a Director of Congregation B’nai Jehudah, a member of New Reform Temple, a member of the Citizens Group for the FBI, a donor to the Harry S. Truman carrier, a Board Member of the National World War I Museum, a Director of the National Conference of Christians and Jews, a long time Governor of the American Royal, and many other boards and associations. He was an avid sportsman, a long time Chiefs Red Coater, and a loyal Royals fan. He enjoyed many years of tennis and golf with his close friends. He was a long time jogger and then a biker when he could no longer jog. He and Gloria were very experienced world travelers, having visited all parts of the globe on 62 cruises and many other trips. He thoroughly enjoyed his breakfast and lunch clubs with his long time friends. He was a philanthropist involved with numerous charities and organizations including Temple B’nai Jehudah, The New Reform Temple, The Jewish Community Foundation, The Greater Kansas City Community Foundation, Children’s TLC, Wayside Waifs, and Park College.
He entered the real estate business in 1936 with The Werby Realty & Investment Company and joined the Real Estate Board of Kansas City in 1939. He acquired The Werby Realty & Investment Company in 1940. He enlisted in the army in April, 1942 and served four years in the China-Burma-India Theatre, and he was discharged as a Captain in 1946. He re-established his business and was joined by his brother, James H. Block, who in 1950 became a partner. He served as an instructor during the late ‘40’s and early ‘50’s for the Real Estate Board and as a member of the Board of Directors from 1960 through 1967 and during his tenure, was instrumental in women being able to become members of the Real Estate Board. He was a Certified Property Manager, a charter Certified Commercial Investment Member, and served as President and Director of the Building Owners and Managers Association of Kansas City as Vice President and Director of the Greater Kansas City Chamber of Commerce, as President of the Real Estate Board in 1967, as a director of the National Association of Realtors, as National Chairman of the Commercial and Industrial Division of the Realtors Marketing Institute, as Chairman of the Professional Standards Committee of the Kansas City Board, and as a Governor of the Real Estate Securities and Syndication Institute.
“Mr. Allen”, as he was known to all of the employees at Block, was a real estate mentor and enjoyed teaching young members of the real estate community throughout his career. He was a true gentleman that was respected by all of his peers. He had a keen mind and those he touched always had kind words about Mr. Allen. He was charming, positive, optimistic, and believed that “your word is your bond”, and he taught this to his sons. He will be missed deeply by his family, his friends, and all those whose paths he crossed.
He was preceded in death by his parents Max & Beatrice Block, and his brother James H. Block. He is survived by his wife of nearly 59 years, Gloria Block, his twin sisters Betty Jackson and Margie Jacobs, his son Stephen and wife Suzy, son Kenneth and wife Lisa, and son Michael and wife Debbie, as well as his eight grandchildren, Leigh and Max Wasserstrom, Chandler and Cameron Hampton, Andrew and William Block, and Zachary and Jacob Block, as well as many nieces and nephews.
Services will be on Thursday, January 22, 2009 at 11:00 a.m. at Beth Shalom Synagogue at 9400 Wornall Road, Kansas City, MO with burial immediately following at Rose Hill Cemetery at 6900 Troost, Kansas City, MO.
In lieu of flowers, the family suggests contributions to the Kansas City Cancer Center-Charitable Fund, c/o Greater Kansas City Community Foundation, 1055 Broadway, Suite 130, Kansas City, MO 64105, the Wayside Waifs, 3901 Martha Truman Road, Kansas City, MO 64137, Animal Haven, 9800 W. 67th Street, Merriam, Kansas 66203, or the charity of the donor’s choice.
(July 2009 - The unit of Block & Company, Inc. referenced in this article is now Block Real Estate Services, LLC)