Dr. Rudolph Kassinger, 92,

Former Westfield Resident

Dr. Rudolph Kassinger, 92, of Phoenix, Arizona, died on Thursday, December 21.

Rudolph was born on April 9, 1931, in Brooklyn, New York. He graduated from Bushwick High School in 1949, The City College of New York in 1953, and went on to earn a Ph.D. in Organic Chemistry from Purdue University in 1958.

Dr. Kassinger and his wife, Sonia, settled in Westfield, where they raised a son and daughter. He was employed for nearly 30 years by Exxon. His time at Exxon included an assignment in Abingdon, England, from 1968-1971. Following his retirement from Exxon, he worked as a Consultant for DNV Petroleum Services in Teaneck, N.J.

He also lived in Rumson, N.J., with his son’s family for 10 years before relocating with them to Phoenix, Ariz.

Dr. Kassinger secured several patents during his career. He was most proud of the “Flexible Double Hull for Liquid Cargo” (U.S. Patent No. 5,203,272), which he co-authored in 1993. An expert in the analysis of fuel oil, he also expressed deep concerns about climate change and the need for renewable energy.

Dr. Kassinger was a loving husband, father, grandfather and friend. He was a wine enthusiast and cherished his monthly wine club gatherings. He also was a Purdue basketball fan, an avid New York Times reader, and loved dogs. He was preceded in death by his wife, Sonia, and is survived by his daughter, Karen (Chris), and grandson, Noah; son, Michael (Lauren-Beth), and granddaughter, Ava-Jordan.

A private family gathering is planned following interment at Fairview Cemetery in Westfield.

In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to the ASPCA (www.aspca.org) or to Purdue Chemistry. Gifts by check may be sent to the following address:

Purdue for Life Foundation, Gift Processing, P.O. Box 772401, Detroit, MI 48277-2401. Please indicate the gifts are to go to the “Chemistry Excellence Fund” and “In Memory of Dr. Rudy Kassinger.”

January 4, 2024