Mr. Van Rensselaer Kelsey

Prominent Los Angeles business leader, founder and chairman of Kelsey National Corporation died August 23rd, 2009. A fourth generation Californian, Mr. Kelsey was born in Los Angeles in 1920. Raised locally, he ultimately attended UCLA, left for military service during World War II and was assigned to U.S. Naval Air Transport. Subsequently he met at a Young Republican’s event his loving wife, Nancy Mihan, to whom he married in 1947. Entering the insurance industry in 1949 he quickly established himself as a life underwriter and ultimately, a general agent. In 1964 he founded Kelsey National Corporation, a multi-disciplined insurance company (a sales agency and administrator for health, life, wealth management, employee benefits operating in 50 states).

Van served over his lifetime in various roles of executive leadership in charitable organizations, professional associations, educational development, and political support groups. Even during his ‘retirement’ years Van stayed engaged in a variety of business pursuits but was particularly proud of his role in supporting his directorships connected with Midland School, Volunteers of America, Catholic Big Brothers Big Sisters, Knights of Malta Free Clinic, QueensCare Charitable Division, and the Veteran’s Park Conservancy.

Van was a firm believer in the axiom of taking stock of what strengths and skills each of us possesses and he encouraged the fostering, development and harvesting of these gifts to enable people to realize their God-given potential. In his life, he made each and every person feel important!

He leaves in addition to his wife, Nancy, daughter Kathleen Kelsey Macker (husband Timothy, grandsons T.C. (wife Courtney, great-granddaughter Kelsey), Ted (wife Laura, great-granddaughter Eleanor), and Tom; sons Van Rensselaer Kelsey, III (wife Diane, and their children, Darren and Carissa), and Mark Reilly Kelsey. Also, brothers Richard (Jane) and John (Catherine) Kelsey, brothers-in-law Dr. Richard and Monsignor John Mihan and many nieces and nephews.

He fully engaged life, and really did not want to leave due to his belief there was always more good work to be done. Few men have cast such an impressive example for others to follow as Van R. Kelsey.

Funeral Mass will be held at Good Shepherd Church, 505 North Bedford Drive, Beverly Hills, California 90210 at 1:00 p.m., Tuesday, September 1, 2009. In lieu of flowers the family requests any donations to be made in the name of Van R. Kelsey to the cancer charity of your choice.

Callanan & Woods Scovern Mortuary (818) 242-0258