Philip Lionel Van Kersen

Philip Lionel Van Kersen, 96, passed away in his sleep on December 12, 2022 in Lexington, Kentucky. Phil was born on November 13, 1926 in South Haven, Michigan to his parents Mildred Irene and Edward Philip Van Kersen. Phil married early in life to Mary Louise Johnson (who he lost to a stroke) and had two sons, Philip and Christopher.

He attended college at Western Michigan University where he completed his degree in three years. He received his BA in Zoology and English. Phil had an illustrious career that spanned more than five decades in the entrepreneurial and business world. He was also the brain child of many inventions including the founding of Thermographic Liquid Crystal Products, the Clinitemp Fever Thermometer, The Hot Water Gauge, The Frog Prince bath thermometer, Yeastemp and many other ideas that sprang from the world of specialty advertising.

Phil was also the author of the bread baking cookbook, Aunt Belle’s Failure Proof Bread Cookbook. He started his first company, Robert J. Scott Associates in 1966. He went on to found the company Clinitemp (Thermographics) in 1976 until he retired in 2000.

In retirement, Phil continued to come up with ideas through the company he founded, Philip Whitney Associates. He loved ideas, marketing and leaning into new innovations that would help people in their everyday lives or to help companies market themselves.

Later in life, Phil also invented The Solar Oven-a fresh approach to solar cookery. He was a problem solver, loved what he did and enjoyed his career.

He married Ellen Steenerson in 1968, adopted her daughter, Melissa and had sons, Eric and Matthew. They divorced after ten years of marriage.

Phil married the love of his life, Ruth Susanne (Sue) Grossman on October 25, 1991 in Indianapolis, Indiana where they met and spent most of their life. In 2000 they moved to Palm Harbor, Florida to enjoy their retirement. They lived together in Palm Harbor, took amazing trips, saw theater, dined with friends and family and recently moved to St.

Mark’s retirement community in 2021. They lived at St. Mark’s until Sue’s passing on October 26, 2022. Phil leaves behind sons, Philip W. Van Kersen (Irene), Christopher Van Kersen, Eric Philip Van Kersen (Aliina), Matthew Christopher Van Kersen (Caitilin), Daughter, Melissa Dee Bradley (Brian), step son, Todd Grossman (Christi), step daughters Julie McElfresh and Linda Huotilainen (Kalevi). He leaves grandchildren Elizabeth Franzini (Ben), Philip Anthony Van Kersen, Ellis Leif Bradley, Vaughn Orion Bradley, Jessa Grossman, Kelleyanne McElfresh, Erin McElfresh, Ryan McElfresh and seven great grandchildren, Hannah, Riley and Brett Balsmeyer and William, Andrew, Nicholas and Benjamin Franzini.

He was preceded in death by his parents, his wife Mary Louise Johnson, his brother, Richard Van Kersen and his granddaughters Laura Balsmeyer (Brian) and Sarah Grossman and great grandson Trevor Balsmeyer.

Phil was a lover of books, people, cooking, wine, tennis, reading, travel and creative ideas. He was a wordsmith and was always happy to lend a hand to a new venture. His warmth and smile will be missed immensely by all who knew and loved him.

A Memorial Service will be held February 4,2023 at 2pm at St Luke’s United Methodist Church at 100 W 86th Street, Indianapolis Indiana.