In Memoriam

Denver advertising legend Phil Karsh dies at 81

Philip Howard Karsh (Jour’57) passed away on Nov. 11, 2016.

Karsh and longtime business partner Tom Hagan founded the Denver-based Karsh Hagan advertising agency in 1977 and turned the start-up into a multi-million-dollar advertising powerhouse representing clients such as Disney, McDonalds, Colorado Tourism, Visit Denver, Colorado Lottery and the University of Colorado.

Karsh was named a distinguished alumnus of the School of Journalism and Mass Communication in 2012 and received the 2014 George Norlin Award from the University of Colorado Alumni Association in recognition of his commitment to excellence in advertising and devotion to a better society and community.

The Karsh Hagan Advertising Scholarship, established by Karsh and his agency partners in 1996, has benefited 23 students since its inception. When it was established, Karsh remarked that he hoped it would allow students from diverse backgrounds to enter the advertising profession.

Born in Salt Lake City in 1935, Karsh moved to Colorado to attend CU and settled in the state after graduation. He is survived by his wife, Linda Love; daughter, Jill Karsh; and two grandsons.

Memorial contributions may be directed to the Karsh Hagan Advertising Scholarship, University of Colorado Foundation, PO Box 17126, Denver, CO 80217-9155.

In Memoriam

  • Eleanor Carlson Flanders (Jour’38)
  • Ida Libert Uchill (Jour’39)
  • Dorothy E. Gonzoph (Jour’42)
  • Katherine T. Kawamura (Jour’45)
  • William R. Franklin, Jr. (Jour’47)
  • Ruth Sterling Schmidt (Jour’48)
  • Nancy Hall Olsen (Jour’49)
  • Laurence T. Paddock (Jour’50)
  • Myra Lee Kessler (Jour’50)
  • Fred D. Pottorf, Jr. (Jour’51)
  • Evelyn Towbin Richmond (Jour’52)
  • Mitchell B. Streicker (Jour, Advert’52)
  • Marilyn June Detweiler (Jour’53)
  • Edwin F. Nieder (Jour’54)
  • William E. Camahan (Jour’55)
  • Jacqueline T. Taylor (Jour’55)
  • William Brian Williams (Jour’56)
  • Elizabeth Gearheart Ford (Jour’56)
  • Paul Francis Moloney (Jour’56)
  • William J. Kostka, Jr. (Jour’56)
  • Philip H. Karsh (Jour’57)
  • James B. Grisenti (Jour’57)
  • Richard Allen Smith (Jour’60)
  • David Cheever (Jour, Advert’60)
  • John Burr Friedlund (Jour, Advert’66)
  • Elizabeth Sandage Mussey, PhD (Jour’67;Advert’70)
  • Daniel Thomas Grassman (Jour’70)
  • Lester L. McPherson (Jour’70)
  • William H. Keener, MD (Jour’71)
  • William A. Hobbs, Jr. (Jour’72)
  • Ruth S. Hattendorf (Comm’74)
  • Tom McCarty (Comm’74)
  • Susan Jean Emmons (Advert’75)
  • Lillian Velzen Grissen (MJour’75)
  • Jo Ruth Liska, PhD (Comm’76)
  • Lee Haugen Long (Jour’76)
  • Shelley Stepanik Eater (Advert’81)
  • Paula Jo Johnson-Grundy (Jour’81)
  • Jacob Jay Schaefer (Comm’82)
  • Kathleen Elise McHugh (Jour’82)
  • Ken M. Miller (Comm’83)
  • Gregory Scott Beebe (Jour’84)
  • Charles Mark Bellinger (Jour’84)
  • Robert Alan Rhea (Comm’84)
  • David W. Haslam, Jr. (Comm’85)
  • Curtis William Kitchen, PhD (Comm’86)
  • Shelley Jean Smith (Jour, Advert’92)
  • Ingrid Berkenkotter Shephard (MJour’93)
  • Robert Scott Weinhold (MJour’95)
  • Julie D. McCoy (MJour’99)
  • Leila May Polintan (Jour, Mdst’99)
  • Christopher Paul Zabka (Jour’07)
  • Nathan Michael Duran (Jour’13)
  • Zachary John Mogan (Jour, Mdst’15)
  • Brandon Melara (Comm’16)