Upon request of Phil :

Dear Phil,

I am so sorry for your loss and the loneliness you must be going through. I am glad that you were able to share that last vacation together in Hawaii.

It’s truly unfortunate that we have not seen each other in such a long time. I guess is that part of learning and I regret that I missed the opportunity to tell Kersen myself, how much he meant to me.

When I met him in 1984, I was so incredible green and naïve when I arrived in NYC, he literally taught me everything.

The first day I arrived in New York, he took me out for “a boterham” which I later found out was Michelin star material. After a decent jetlag,  showing me the town way past midnight, driving through Manhattan in his cognac colored Fleetwood, he dropped me off and told me to meet him at 7 for breakfast. That next morning in the office, I was unfortunately “forced” to place that breakfast and previous nights dinner right smack onto the conference table for Rolande to clean.

Those seemed to be the typical NY days when Kersen was in town. Start early, work until 10pm, late night dinners with lots of wine, then cruise all over town, talk about all the real estate prices, listening to all his Embassy and Consulate stories and the usual EVD and funding drama’s. It was always fascinating to spend time with him. He would immerse you in the stories, ask seriously about your opinion. His questions were overwhelming and caused me to read and think all night on how to respond the next day.

He taught me how to reach my targets, strive to perfection (in the silliest details), push my boundaries of physical and mental exhaustion, plan your chess game for any challenge ahead, s, use your fighting spirit and drama to energize, trust my instincts, be confident that all falls in to place and transfer all that energy and confidence on to our clients so that they would become our biggest fans and cheerleaders.

Kersen guided us from relatively sheltered and naïve individuals to self-confident & quick thinking entrepreneurs. During the hours and hours of discussions over many bottles of wine, your name came up frequently and since we had not seen each other until my first visit to Inverness, you were the mystery man that he so often spoke of. After we met it was very clear to me where Kersen got his strategic advice and soundboard. Without you, his world would have been full of explosive drama that was so much his own.

 Whatever you and Kersen concocted as a team, to drive the young dogs like Robert, Gerard, Frans and me forward, it worked well and I am still using that every day. I have also learned to mentor many around me and shared those same live/work ethics.

Forever greatfull……….to both of you.

Wilfred Poiesz
wpoiesz@icloud.com
+1 310-567-9716

Kersen!

What can I say about this very unusual man?

I first came in contact with him at The Netherland Club, when I had just arrived in the US and was working for KLM. We met at all Dutch and KLM events and I can assure you that he had a voice!

He was also one of the most brilliant fund-raisers I have ever met. Succinct and extremely convincing! He managed to get many companies to join him in all kinds of charities.

 For some reason, we hit it off and, no matter how hard he tried, he did not manage to intimidate me.  Maybe that was the key!

Because of his handicap, we were in contact often and over the years I became his point person for my Company. It was not always easy!

Because of the different aircraft types and configurations, we simply could not always accommodate him in his favorite seat in Business Class, 1A, but for some reason, Kersen and I always made it work, without too much of a hassle! Of course, when meeting some of our KLM top guys, he would comment and made fun of me, but all in good spirits!

When and if possible, I supported his tremendous efforts on behalf of the handicapped. Sometimes he could be a little less discreet and liked to shock his audience!

One example was a meeting we had at the Chamber of Commerce with some new (and American) clients.  He was a little late because of a doctor’s appointment and when he finally arrived, (I had failed to inform the attendants of his handicap since I never thought of it as such), he made his entrance on a skateboard since he didn’t have time to put on his prosthesis, or so he said!

The meeting was a huge success!

He was a very special man and I cherish the time I was able to spend with him. Phil was his perfect partner and it was a pleasure to see them together.

Kersen, we miss you, but your legacy through Phil and all those who knew you and worked with you, will live on!

Odette

When the Netherland Club of New York had to close its doors and leave the Rockefeller Center location like a thief in the night, Kersen came to the rescue. With a crew of his young friends and a moving van he managed to get everything out and take to a secured storage space. Chairs, stools, tables, desks, the piano, paintings like the portrait of Queen Wilhelmina, the valued replica of the Halve Maen, the Frisian “stoeltjes“ klok, you name it. His only regret was that the Delft Blue tiles in the hearth and chimney were firmly cemented and he couldn’t get them loose.

Years later we worked closely together for the celebration of the Centennial of the Netherlands Chamber of Commerce and the Netherland Club, both founded in 1903.The Consul General Bob Hiensch had offered to use his contacts to invite Prince Willem Alexander and Princess Maxima as special guests for the combined event. The party, the swan song of the Chamber, would become the crowning event of Kersen’s organizational and fundraising talents and underscore his unconditional support for young musical talent. A fundraising handicap was that the main draw had not yet accepted the invitation and once accepted their visit was not to be made public. We found ways, however, to work around that “secret”.

The party for the Centennials was a joint event but Kersen took the lead in all aspects of the organization: the place (the recently renovated ballroom of the former New York Mercantile Exchange at 55 Wall Street), the pre-dinner reception (no advertising allowed, so all parasols and umbrellas with the red star had to be removed; the royal couple arrived late, which stimulated the mood), the menu, the seating (Princess Christina was his escort), security issues, no press allowed, and above all the entertainment program. An orchestra directed by his friend Skitch Henderson accompanied the Boys Choir and many young artists developed under his aegis and with his support. The official program was concluded with short speeches, all of which written by Kersen. What a wonderful experience orchestrated by Kersen’s hidden hand! After that the MC, Jeroen Krabbe, took over and Kersen could finally relax. He confided in me that only earlier that day he had received the final sponsor commitment to balance the half a million budget for the event.

Kersen could now dedicate his energy and drive to his foundation: the Netherlands American Community Trust helping young musicians. We attended the performances at Carnegie Hall.

Regretfully for us Kersen sold his New York City apartment and moved permanently to Florida.

It was a great privilege to have known him and to have shared so many fun and great times with him. We will cherish the memories.

Jippe and Annette

Dear Phil, not only do you have to miss the man of your life, Kersen also leaves a very special person behind. I wish you all the best going thru this difficult time. 

After arriving for my internship in New York during the summer of 2001, I quickly noticed what a extraordinary man Kersen was. After starting to get his news papers and cup of coffee every morning when he arrived at the office, he soon trusted me with bigger and more important responsibilities for the Chamber and for the Trust. After a while he took me out for dinner and we had great conversations and fun. Of course most of the time in Bistro du Nord and sometimes Island. This is where my friendship with Kersen started. Or as I always said to my friends and family he was my American dad. We laughed a lot, had good conversations, learned me a lot and he could tell great stories. And the most I admired about him was to get the most out of live and help others. 

One of the moments I never forget with Kersen was Christmas day 2001. After meeting in his apartment for a drink, we went to have dinner in the seafood restaurant near Carnegie Hall. After having a great dinner, as always, we went off to go to the Christmas Concert in Carnegie Hall, I believe conducted by Skitch Henderson, one of Kersen's favorite conductors. When the concert was finished Kersen thought it would be a good idea to go to Bitro du Nord to grab a last bite. So we went there, drinking a good bottle of wine, eating a steak and having profiteroles for desert. When Bistro du Nord turned off the lights I walked Kersen home and took the sybway.

Working for Kersen and being a friend of Kersen was one of the best things that happened in my life. I will never forget him and cherish the great moments we had. Kersen I'll miss you.

It was a hot and humid day in New York in August 1991 when I first met Kersen J. de Jong.  I came to the offices of the Netherlands Chamber of the Commerce in the United States to interview Kersen as part of my summer internship for the Port of Rotterdam.  It was the last week of my stay in the United States before I had to go back to the Netherlands.  Kersen was the last person I had to interview for my report on Dutch-American trade and investment.  I entered the Chamber office on the 11th floor of One Rockefeller Plaza, I shook Kersen’s hand, I sat down at his huge glass-covered octagonal table, and we started talking.  I was immediately drawn to Kersen’s dynamic personality.  I recognized that he was a real “man van de wereld”, a man of the world, so full of life, energy and intelligence.  A man who spoke in beautiful, almost regal Dutch, who wore a colorful bow tie, and who happened to walk on two artificial legs.  To me, Kersen’s charisma, class and strength were in a different dimension altogether.  I politely asked my questions.  He politely gave his answers.   I left.  Then later that day Kersen called me back to invite me to dinner.  That evening, at La Goulue on the Upper East Side, Kersen offered me a job at the Chamber.  This moment changed my life.  It meant that the Chamber would sponsor me for an H-1 visa that would allow me to stay in the United States.  I was overjoyed, because my dream to be able to live and work in New York had come true.  Over the years, Kersen bestowed this same privilege on many young Dutch men and women, both staff and interns.  Kersen truly believed in giving opportunities to young people to help them achieve their full potential.  I will always remain thankful to Kersen for the chance he gave me that day.  It marked the beginning of our friendship and cooperation. 

At the Chamber, I worked for Kersen for five years, from September 1991 through August 1996.  I now consider these my years of service to Queen and Country, with Kersen as General.  It was unusual that this Chamber operated as a private company without direct Dutch government control.  This structure suited Kersen perfectly.   Kersen was a master networker who was always able to raise funds from multinational corporations and the Dutch government.  The Chamber provided support and advice to small- and medium-sized companies from the Netherlands to help them gain successful entry into the United States.  We did consulting projects and answered all kinds of business questions.  We promoted the Netherlands in the United States in every way possible.  We coined the term “The Netherlands: Europe Made Easy” to stimulate U.S. companies to do business in the Netherlands.  Kersen always stood up for the independence of the Chamber from Dutch government interference.  If necessary, Kersen fought the incompetence or ignorance of Dutch government officials and diplomats, who often lacked any business sense or were clueless on how to interact with Americans.  One time, the new Netherlands Consul-General could not even find the door to the Chamber office and left again, which resulted in a hilarious exchange of correspondence, which made it to the Dutch government in The Hague. 

Kersen was also a keen political visionary.  He realized early that European integration was changing the relations between European countries and the United States.  As a result, in 1989 Kersen had founded the European Community Chamber of Commerce in the United States, which is now the Trans-Atlantic Business Council, to serve as a lobbying organization to promote free trade and investment between the European Union and the United States.  Kersen was a true pioneer and way ahead of his time.

Of course Kersen could be a tough taskmaster, because he set the highest standards for himself and expected the same from those working for him.  Yet I actually enjoyed his perfectionism.   Kersen’s gift was that he was able to motivate us to do more and achieve more than we thought would be possible.  As a result, we all worked for Kersen with great dedication and each working day was truly a new adventure.  The office was like a family, with a wide variety of characters who all somehow complemented each other to accomplish our shared goals as a team.  One time, Kersen even flew the entire Chamber staff out to Florida to have a great time at the house in Manalapan.  The only thing I never got used to was Kersen’s preference for a lunch of Slim-Fast diet shakes, whose intentions were countered by many a lavish dinner with a bottle of wine at night. 

As in any company, staff and interns would come and go over the years, yet Kersen always remained the driving force of the Chamber, fighting for the Dutch cause on all levels and at every turn. 

Each year, the Chamber organized a gorgeous gala dinner to present the George Washington Vanderbilt Award to a worthy recipient and company that had advanced Dutch-American business relations.  I recall how much fun we had when the Chamber staff had to dress up in period costumes for a movie crew to film our reenactment of the founding of the Chamber by George Washington Vanderbilt in 1903.  Of course Kersen played the historical Mr. Vanderbilt, with whom he shared an uncanny resemblance.  This short film served as the introduction of the award ceremony.  It’s a time capsule of some of the best days at the Chamber.

To coincide with the 50th anniversary of the liberation of the Netherlands from Nazi occupation, Kersen raised the funds to restore the Netherlands Carillon in Arlington, Virginia, just outside Washington D.C.  Kersen also arranged for Dutch Prime Minister Wim Kok to present a new 50th Carillon bell, with the words Freedom and Friendship engraved, to President Clinton at the White House.  This 50th bell was dedicated on May 5, 1995, the exact date of the 50th anniversary of the liberation of the Netherlands.  On the same day, a one-time musical, which celebrated the liberation of the Netherlands, was performed at the National Theatre in Washington D.C.

Kersen’s handicap never defined him and never stopped him from being who he was.  I was told that even before he lost his legs, Kersen had always been a fighter, because he had booked a one-way ticket to New York in 1971 and had worked his way up.  The loss of his legs had not caused or changed his fighting spirit.  Kersen was a fighter, period.  So Kersen embraced the cause of equal rights for the disabled as well.  He would take off his artificial legs and speed down the aisles of Lincoln Center or Carnegie Hall on his skateboard, to the shock of the audience, to show how difficult it was for the disabled to get to their seats otherwise.  Kersen also worked hard on the initiative of the National Organization on Disability to change the Memorial dedicated to Dutch-American President Franklin Delano Roosevelt in Washington D.C.   As a result, a statue of the President as a disabled man in a wheelchair was finally included into the FDR Memorial in January 2001.  Of course Kersen was guest of honor.

After the attacks of 9/11, I decided to quit my five-year career as an investment banker at J.P. Morgan, because I wanted to give back to those who needed help.  I quickly learned that Kersen had established the Netherlands American Community Trust for this exact purpose.  So I returned to work for Kersen once more, this time for two-and-a-half years, from late 2001 through early 2004.  After a successful fund-raising event in The Hague in late 2001, we organized a tribute concert at Carnegie Hall in New York on January 28, 2002.  It was a big deal.  A packed Carnegie Hall.  On the left side of the stage, the Dutch flag.  On the right side of the stage, the American flag.  The Boys Choir of Harlem opened with the national anthems of the United States and the Netherlands, followed by a spoken tribute to the victims of 9/11. A Dutch boy symbolically handed a donation check to a girl from New York.  The Netherlands Student Orchestra led by conductor Lawrence Renes performed Carmina Burana by Carl Orff.  The New York Pops played Broadway tunes sung by top Broadway stars.  Princess Christina of the Netherlands sang a song together with a choir of the New York Police Department and the New York Fire Department.  Only Kersen could organize an event of this magnitude.  The Netherlands American Community Trust would raise $31 million from the Dutch-American business community to support programs for the victims and communities impacted by 9/11. The Trust would go on to invest in community outreach programs for disadvantaged groups and related projects and events in the United States and the Netherlands.

Of course Kersen was the ideal person to organize the Centennial Celebration of the 100th birthday of both the Netherlands Chamber of Commerce in the United States and the Netherland Club of New York on May 7, 2003.  On that day, we organized a forum on Dutch-American business relations at the Federal Reserve Bank of New York and a forum on corporate social responsibility at the New York Stock Exchange, both with top executives from major Dutch multinationals in the United States.  In celebration of the 100th birthday of the Netherlands Chamber, these Dutch business leaders rang the closing bell at the New York Stock Exhange on that day.  Yet the ultimate event came at night: a spectacular black-tie gala dinner on Wall Street, within the very borders of New Amsterdam, with Crown Prince Willem-Alexander and Princess Máxima of the Netherlands in attendance.  It was a truly magical evening, still fondly remembered to this day by everyone who was there.  Wine and beer flowed.  The food was delicious.  Everybody received an art piece.  The Crown Prince praised the Chamber in his speech.  The beautiful Princess enchanted all.  Well-dressed people danced the night away.   Everyone had a grand time.  It was the best Dutch-American party, possibly ever.  Again, only Kersen could have made all of this happen. 

However, to Kersen, these glorious events were more work than pleasure.  Responsibility can make it hard to relax.  Instead, Kersen experienced the most joy when the underprivileged young talents whom he had championed over the years found success and recognition in their respective fields.  To Kersen, this was the ultimate reward.  It tells you all you need to know about Kersen.

After I started working as a financial planner and wealth manager, Kersen and I still stayed in touch.  I received updates on his involvement with the Roosevelt Institute and the Four Freedom Awards, his knighthood, and his on-going support of deserving young men and women in the United States and the Netherlands.  I occasionally helped Kersen with his elaborately prepared April Fool’s jokes, which always attracted unsuspecting volunteers. His sense of humor was legendary and his laugh contagious.

Kersen could also be a handful, because he had very little patience for those with lower professional, ethical or moral standards than his own.  Over the years I came to realize that the only person who could handle Kersen at all times was Phil Perkins.  Phil’s background as a Major in the military and as a school teacher, his calm demeanor, and his long relationship with Kersen always allowed him to gain the upper hand with Kersen if needed, which nobody else was able to do.  It made me understand that this was the reflection of the strong love, friendship and respect that Kersen clearly felt for Phil.  Only Phil could make Kersen truly happy.  Kersen and Phil had the best possible marriage long before it became wonderfully official.

I’m happy that I was able to catch up with Kers, as I always called him, last November, when we talked about everything and laughed about the good times we had shared.  Even then, Kersen was looking out for me and giving me advice.  Although I was fully aware of the growing challenges to his health, the news of Kersen’s passing still came as sudden shock.  Kersen left us much too early.

Kersen was a strong force for good.  His entire life was dedicated to fighting for justice, equality and opportunity for all.  As a result, Kersen made such a positive impact on the lives of so many.  We are all the recipients of Kersen’s benevolence in some way.  Kersen was a model human being, a consummate professional, and a real friend.  I will always remain grateful for everything that Kersen has meant to me.  Earth is a better place thanks to Kersen.  Heaven is a better place with Kersen.  Het ga je goed, Kers!

Levonne and I first met Kersen and Phil at the Hale Koa Military Hotel on Waikiki.  We have stayed several weeks each February over the past six or seven years.  As a Vietnam veteran and close to Kersen’s age, I speculated that he had lost his legs in combat and possibly Vietnam, so I struck up a conversation with him and Phil, and found out that he had lost his legs in an accident years ago in New York.  Phil being a retired Army Major was the one who sponsored both at the Hale Koa.  I was impressed with both Kersen and Phil’s life experiences and especially the philanthropic activities Kersen has been involved in.  Kersen was one who never let his disability keep him back.  He would get on his skate board, head to the edge of the pool, dive in and swim away as well as anyone else in the pool.  Then, he’d lift himself effortlessly out of the pool on to the edge and on the skate board.  No problem for a man with his determination and strength both physically and mentally.  Kersen and I talked many times about the needs of the Hale Koa to properly respond to the needs of the handicapped; especially in the design of the newly renovated Iliami pool at the hotel.  I wrote a letter to several officials at Kersen’s urging asking them to insure the needs of the handicapped in their upcoming pool design.   In talking further with Kersen earlier this visit, he told me he had had several health problems over the past year which had limited his upper body strength, so it was more of an effort to get in and out of the pool; however, he persisted.  After we were informed from Phil that Kersen had passed, we were struck hard.  I had no idea his health had failed so drastically.  I spent several days talking and sharing our experiences together with Phil.  Phil and Kersen were together for many, many years of devoted love.  As the father of a gay son in a close relationship, I valued talking to Phil about their experiences together and receiving valuable advice about what my son and his partner should do to insure that their time together is valued by society and that they have a say in each other’s lives.  Levonne and I will miss seeing Kersen at the Hale Koa and talking with him.  I only hope that Phil will continue to come each year.  We will value our friendship with both Kersen and Phil, and with Phil in the future.  

This is a long story.

 THE BACK STORY…Phil & Me. 

I met Phil when he and my husband, David were on Active Duty in the Army in Recruiting Command.  I was sent as the battalion representative to an Army Family Conference in San Antonio, TX.  I went reluctantly, being young, new to Army life and having never before flown on a plane, rode in a taxicab or checked into a hotel by myself.   I was scared to death.  As the conference started, I found a seat among some ladies who seemed pretty nice.  Major Phil Perkins headed the conference.  From the moment he took over, immediately everyone felt at ease.  I made fast friends with my tablemates and Phil made fast friends with all of us.  Each night of the conference our little crew went out to dinner together.  Needless to say, fun was had by all.  Phil and I especially hit it off and from then on out we were the best of friends. We talked by phone at least once a week, we sent cards and letters.  I met up with Phil and his Mom when they visited Nashville.  We had a wonderful time together.  We all became dear friends for many years.  Through the years as happens for whatever reason, our communication faded.  My husband retired, we moved and Phil and I lost touch…For 20 years!!!!

 This is where Kersen comes in…

 It was January 2012. David and I were on vacation in Hawaii.  It was our last day of a two-week visit.  I loved that place so much and I did not want to leave.  We even extended our plane tickets for later in the day. I wanted to savor every last minute.  We were at the pool at the Hale Koa Hotel.  I had precisely calculated my time.  I had to leave the pool at 4pm in order to go to the fitness center, get changed, get our bags and catch the taxi at exactly 5pm to make it to the airport in time.

 At 3:30pm, David said, “I’ve had enough, I’m going to go on and get started, want to come?”  Not on your life, I was going to squeeze out every last second of Aloha.  David left, freeing up the only remaining lounge in the sun at the entire pool.  As I sat there, I saw something I have never seen before.  A man came up out of the pool and landed on a skateboard, I saw both legs were amputated.  He rolled straight to the empty chair beside me and in a flash he was sitting there.  He started up a conversation with me.  I found it odd at first, because right away it was clear that Kersen and I were from very different worlds.  Me, a Tennessee Hillbilly Redneck, of sorts.  He, a European Aristocrat, of sorts. But strike up a conversation we did.  He said, “I live in Palm Beach Florida and it’s warmer there than it is here.  I had to come over here to get in the sun”. I assumed that he was the military person, that his disability was a result of a combat injury. He said no, it was his partner who had been in the service. (Hale Koa is a hotel for military personnel only). He told me about an unfair hotel wheelchair accessibility policy, he was very passionate about it.  He said that he had a meeting the next day with the hotel’s general manager to discuss.  OF COURSE HE DID:)   He then told me how, for many years, he and his partner used to come to Hawaii during Christmas holiday time because they lived in Chicago where his partner was a schoolteacher, they enjoyed getting away from the cold.  He said that when they moved to Palm Beach, they stopped coming to Hawaii in winter.  He also said that he used to live in New York City.  All of this started to add up for me, military, Chicago schoolteacher, New York, Hawaii at Christmas time…I asked Kersen, “excuse me, but is your friend’s name, by any chance, Phil”?  He said, ‘Yes, Phil Perkins’.  I said “I KNOW HIM, I HAVENT SEEN HIM IN 20 YEARS!  I can’t believe he is here, I can’t believe that I have to leave in 15 minutes and I might not see him”.  Kersen called Phil on his cell and left this message, “Phil, call me back right away, I think I’ve broken my leg”. (my first taste of the dark and wonderful humor Kersen sometimes had toward his disability). 

 The clock ticked away the minutes and the time came for me to leave the pool. I exchanged contact info and wrote a note to Phil of how sorry I was to have missed him.  I went on my way with a heavy heart.

When I came out of the dressing room THERE WAS PHIL! Phil told me that just that morning he had been walking around thinking about his Mom who had passed just a couple of years earlier, wondering and asking up above, “if there is anyone up there looking out for me, anyone at all,  I would love to see a sign, and here you are”.  That’s when the water came out of our eyes and we did the ‘ugly cry’.  We only had 5 minutes together, he walked us to our cab and we were gone.

That fateful day the planets aligned and Mama from above and the good Lord and Mr. Kersen De Jong played their parts to reunite the best of long lost friends.  It was a scenario that most surly was devised by a force far greater than us.  A God moment. A divine intervention. A most excellent and perfect moment in time, a grand and precious gift. 

 Since that day Kersen, Phil, David and myself have spent many good times together meeting up in Hawaii and at their beautiful home in Florida.  Phil has been adopted as an honorary Hillbilly Redneck.  He has a whole family of friends in Tennessee who love both him and Kersen.  We have supported each other in the bad times and regaled in the good times.

How ironic it is that the pool at the Hale Koa in Hawaii was the first time I saw Kersen and the last time I saw Kersen.  January this year, 2016 I witnessed Kersen, happy and content, surrounded by friends, holding court, tanned, looking healthy, swimming and getting stronger, I will never forget the last time I saw him, he was so happy.

 And now our hearts are broken. We will forever miss our friend.  The love and the joy and the memories will never die.  They will live on.  In memory of Kersen, we must take up the fight for the under dogs of the world. It will take all of us to try to equal even half of what one Kersen DeJong achieved.  May he rest in sweet peace.

Kers... Carnegie Hall & Frank Sinatra (June 1984)

As a Sinatra fan and still being a newby in New York City, enjoying working with Kers since April 1982 at the Netherlands Chamber of Commerce, I invited Kersen to join me to a concert at Carnegie Hall of Frank Sinatra.

I was happy to get two tickets and never gave accessibility any thought. I was happy to get them and invite Kers to give something back, having been incredibly grateful to him giving me the opportunity to come to the U.S. Having arrived in 1982, by now, enjoying the United States, I knew, I wanted to stay and explore the American Dream.

So we went to Carnegie Hall... But unbeknownst to me, the two tickets ended up being the upper balcony with only narrow staircase access. Besides the fact it shows how I looked at Kersen as a regular guy with all limbs, I never looked at him as handicapped. He was energetic, went every where he wanted to go or set his mind to!  And if he could not run I did it for him.

Well we made it to our seats. Kersen undeterred, fought and struggles to the top, and although it being a workout and us arriving sweaty and out of breath at a classy concert, we made it!

We enjoyed each other’s company and a raspy Frank Sinatra, drinking Scotch on stage, while singing the famous songs made us happy that we made it to our seats.

Sinatra closed with the song that all NY based trainees at the Chamber reveled being "New York New York…If you can make it there you can make it anywhere!”

(http://www.setlist.fm/setlist/frank-sinatra/1984/carnegie-hall-new-york-ny-5bd2db64.html )

Kersen was a close friend, he will be missed for all the good he did. I am pleased and honored to have had the opportunity to work for him and know him most of my life, be close to him.

I will miss the calls, lunches and fights :) (not with me)

I love you man!! Robert F. Brands

Stuart, FL USA

Most people I meet know you, through the stories I share about you.  I am so proud to know you.  You've shown me the true meaning of loyalty.  As a true role model, you showed me how to discover solutions to my problems, by thinking outside of the box.  Because of your devotion to me, I am able to understand it's true meaning.  You made sure that I took care of Liza and Niklas.  You welcomed us from Germany with an open-ended invitation to stay in Florida, but we insisted on our feet as soon as possible.  Thank you for truly loving me like a son and allowing me to care for you as a father.  Sometimes, your response to an email/text I sent would simply say, "I love u, figlio"  Thank you for showing how proud you were of me, by hanging the 6 ft x 4 ft poster of me as Don Giovanni in your home office... LOL!  You are one of a kind and will always be missed.  

Love,
Figlio 

I used to know hem well long ago, beginning of the 80s, New York, Going out on the prowl with another Person, Paul Jansen I believe. That time Kersen was working for the Dutch Embassy/Chamber of commerce or related, done a lot of good work for the country. Paul for the Rabobank. I thought I had lost them on 9/11 because at the time (80's) they had an office or working frequently in the WTC towers. I mourned Kersen after 9/11 because I could not find him anymore or able to get in contact until several years ago when I read a newspaper article about the way he was treated on Turkish airlines. I found him again on linked then after that. Kersen we knew each other only a short time back then but I had a lot of respect the way you handled things and kept going. You will be missed! Rest in Piece!

It was at the age of 16 that I first performed my own composition called 'Free To Be Me'. A man by the name Kersen de Jong gave me the opportunity to perform at the prestigieus Carnegie Hall in New York. I remember him saying to me: 'I cannot walk and I am tone deaf but I guess you are good enough to perform at Carnegie Hall. An opportunity of a live time. He than made 'Free To Be Me' the official song of his organisation 'The Netherland American Trust. At that same time he offered me a job at his company. He said: 'What if I pay you just as much as they do at cool cat' (I should have asked for more LOL). In the period that I worked with Kersen he brought me from parties with royalties, to rehearsals in the bronx. From meetings with the biggest law firms, to the smallest charity organizations. By the time I was twenty I learned something that I use in everything that I undertake. Even if all the odds are against you, you can still make an impact. Thank you Kersen de Jong R.I.P.

In 2005 at the Four Freedoms Ceremony in Hyde Park (NY) I met Kersen for the first time. Ever since we every year made a lot of phone calls and send a lot of emails in the run up to the Four Freedoms ceremony in the even numbered years in Middelburg (The Netherlands) and in the odd numbered years in New York

There are a lot of fond memories: receptions in Kersen and Phil's apartment in Manhattan, visits to Jazz clubs, the opera (Carmen) and diners.

I'll never forget the wonderful concerts in the Concert Gebouw in Amsterdam of young talented musicians. Kersen gave these young musicians the opportunity to perform and some of them even to perform in Carnegie Hall. I still see Kersen arriving at the Concert Gebouw with his very old town car which he called the "hoerensloep".

I admired Kersen who despite his handicap had a great sense of humor and a positive and inspirational influence.

An outstanding and unforgettable event was Kersen's and Phil's wedding in the Abby in Middelburg.

I will cherish all these memories and I'm fortunate to have known such a remarkable, inspirational man.

Louis van Vlaanderen

To honour Kersen, who gave me the opportunity to make great personal and professional developments in my life.

We, two young designers, had started our Foundation, the T+HUIS (T-house) in a marginalized area of Eindhoven. The purpose of our Foundation was to create activities for children in the neighborhood by combining existing facilities in such a way that we created children activities to support the learning and development of children after school in a playful way.

One afternoon in 2008 the phone rang. It was Kersen J. de Jong. A man who explained he had called several organizations to ask for a stage for a young talent to perform: Jonathan Batist.

He was looking for a platform, a creative way to have Jonatan perform his songs, but all had turned down his offer. And there wasn’t much time. To be exact, there were three days to organize all this. We loved the idea to rearrange the square in front of our T-house into a public stage, where everybody could experience the strength and beauty of music.

Kersen thought that could be a beautiful solution and together we organized the most important equipment: the piano. Not just a piano, a Steinway. The man who was responsible for the Steinway could not believe we were putting it out on the streets… he was sweating when he saw some clouds appearing..

That Wednesday, Jonathan started playing and people came to listen to the music from everywhere. Young, old, homeless, higher educated, addicted, young families, employees from the local bank, people from the local stores and lots of children…. Everyone was sitting quietly, mesmerized by the beautiful sounds Jonatan was creating.

It was such a miraculous event. So playful, powerful and dreamy, but really happening! There he was, a super talented young man, connecting all the people in the neighborhood.

Afterwards Kersen took the time to get to know our Foundation. He loved it and offered us great opportunities to expand our network. He invited us to benefit concerts where all kinds of big companies came, looking for a match with local organizations to support them.

The year after we repeated the success, this time with Rhea Olivacci and Sheilish Bhagwandin.

He connected us to Ronald Slaats, CEO of DLL. Ronald started supporting us as a mentor, trust person and helped grow into a professional organization. Within 2 years we were reaching over 350 children in our neighborhood, and over 300 youngsters, with our daily activities.

But Kersen didn’t stop, he offered us to roll out the concept ‘Kids in the Balcony’ he had used in the States. So we started going with large groups of youngsters to music concerts: Mozart, Bach… it was a great joy, people had unforgettable experiences listening to this music. New worlds opened. Arts became an opportunity to grow, to express yourself and to feel how you could make the difference.

Kersen invited us to New York twice. He invited us to his one-desk office.

He set up a study trip where we got to meet all the big Foundations. These Foundations were in a professional stage, far beyond surviving, they had business mechanisms that helped them to sustain as a professional organization and they used profound methods to help young people develop their talents. We loved it and came home so inspired and enriched!!

We met many presidents of PPP organizations.

Full of ideas and inspiration we continued our Journey. We started to include projects about human rights, we connected people with ‘complex’ surnames to companies for internships. And finally, he supported me to leave my own foundation behind.

He so much empowered me to choose my path of passion, not to be afraid for new steps. He empowered me to be strong, to be sure that I was doing the right thing and I could do it. I started working for DLL on Value Management. How to influence Learning and behavior in this big financial organization on a global level.

Kersen was like the mentor who opened my eyes that there is so much more possible than I could imagine. That there is a way of doing, just by doing it and taking people along with me. Inclusion and diversity.

Warm, enthusiastic, full of good spirit, he introduced me also to Phil. And Phil, I so much think of you these days. My heart goes out to you, carrying the loss. You and Kersen have been like angels to me, giving me and others sparkles of hope. Little but consistent pushes in the right direction. ‘You can do it!’

‘When you work hard, you can make the difference. You know much more than you think, and if you don’t know…. Just give me a ring and I help you out’

Thank you so much for this wonderful support. In my life you have been a life changer. You have helped me jump 2 leaps. Build a professional organization that strives for the best for our youth: the future of this world… no matter what background or name you have.

But also you have empowered me as a young, insecure woman in a men’s world. You have given me wings, and showed me I was worth it. You helped me internalize values of Self worthiness, persistency and the power of creativity.

I send you lots of love and strength,
with the deepest respect and the biggest hug,
Sara Sitton- de Boer

I think I met Kersen for the first time by the end of 1978. By that time I was the commissioner for the port of Rotterdam. The city of Rotterdam which ran the port planned to undertake a trade mission to the US. We encountered a problem in getting visas: in the application form every member of the delegation had to declare his sexual orientation. The mayor Andre van der Louw who was to head the delegation refused to put this question to the members of the delegation. In this situation we had a meeting in which Kersen was present. As you will understand he was very supportive as was the consul-general of the US, who offered to present me with a waver on this aspect; we kindly refused. Here started my friendship with Kersen. Over the year we became more close and finally I had the chance meeting you, that gave a new dimension to the image of Kersen. As a matter of fact I could no see Kersen function without your love and support. You were great, you can be proud of yourself ! I do hope that you will be able to pickup your live and enjoy it in every aspect.

Dear Phil,

Meeting Kersen, and later on you, opened a whole new world for me. It was a life changer.
Kersen and I first met when I was on the board of the Netherlands Student Orchestra. We wanted to give a concert in Carnegie Hall and Jan Riezenkamp told us that Kersen was the man to speak to. As always, Kersen had his immediate favorite and I was so lucky that it was me. We planned our concert and then 9-11 happened. I visited New York for the first time in October 2001 and Kersen and I planned the concert to commemorate and to give support from the Netherlands. The concert was one never to forget: the fire department choir, the Harlem Boys Choir, the soloists, the enormous orchestra, Prinses Christina…

From that moment on I was accepted in your family. We had the Prinses Christina Concours events, your visits and concerts in The Hague and later Amsterdam, the Centennial, all the diners and meetings, Daniel, Charles, Lot, Jurgen, we had wonderful times.

These happenings alone were great enough to fill a storybook, but that’s only one side. Kersen has thought me that you can do everything that you want. He inspired. Age was never a problem: if you were fit to the job you should do it. Kersen had magic, glamour en generosity around and in him and I feel very privileged that he gave me the opportunity to join him in his musical adventures. I always greatly admired the way Kersen lived his life. He didn’t let his disability handicap him. He was a great example for everyone and will be missed greatly by me and many others.

Dear Phil, I do hope that you will visit the Netherlands some time. Zeyhan and I would be honored if you stayed with us: our home is your home.

Words can’t express my feelings of love and gratitude for the both of you and I hope to speak to you sometime soon.

All the love,

Dieuwertje