Robin L Perry
Patrick David Allen, age 39, passed away in San Francisco on October 1, 2025. He was being treated for metastatic testicular cancer.
Patrick was a young man with many passions. He loved playing and listening to music of many genres; bringing old technology and vintage video games back to life; learning about wines; researching health and nutrition; cooking without recipes; eating at all-you-can-eat hot pot and Brazilian steakhouse restaurants; and reading deeply about zen buddhism, meditation, and mindful compassion.
Patrick identified as a percussionist from his early days in middle school in Arlington, VA, when he played in the marching and concert bands. He carried his passion forward into high school and college, playing in jazz ensembles, drum lines, and concert bands at Washington-Lee High School in Arlington, VA and Christopher Newport University in Newport News, VA. His Ludwig rocker drum set was his most prized possession—his percussion collection grew to include a djembe and congas.
Patrick earned a living solving IT and technology problems, leading to his passion for finding new ways to use discarded computers and outdated technologies.
While living in Mountain View, CA the last 10 years, Patrick’s favorite hangout was Savvy Cellar, a local wine bar where the sommelier taught him about wines from all over the world. Patrick loved discovering new flavors and sharing them with others. His wine bar visits were often preceded by dinner in one of his favorite local restaurants on Castro Street. The rich offering of restaurants and vendors was one of things that Patrick loved about living in Mountain View.
In his late teen years, Patrick was diagnosed with autism, an identity he embraced as he began his post-college working life. The diagnosis gave him a framework for understanding how he interacted in the world, and deepened his compassion for people with differences. In recent years, Patrick read deeply on zen buddhism, philosophy, and eastern religions, and developed his own meditation and mindfulness practice that centered him and added a richness to his life. Patrick extended his kindness and compassion to all he interacted with, and always found the good in each person.
Patrick was born on April 18, 1986, in Arlington, VA to David Allen (deceased) and Robin Lee Perry. He is survived by his mother Robin Perry of San Francisco, CA; sister Rebecca Allen-Oleet of Northampton, MA; half-sisters Torrie Taj of Chandler, AZ and Heather Rothman of Scottsdale, AZ; and grandfather William J. Perry of Palo Alto, CA. He was beloved by numerous aunts, uncles, cousins, and friends.
Patrick’s life will be remembered in a private family gathering on December 26. Those wishing to honor Patrick’s memory can make a gift to the San Francisco Community Music Center: https://sfcmc.org/donate/
