A Message from Creative Energy
It is with deep sadness and a heavy heart that we share the passing of our founder, Denis Walter Kasten. He passed away on February 2, 2025.

Below is a short story honoring Denny’s extraordinary life.

The Finest Kind

Born in Franklyn, Michigan on March 16, 1945, Denny was one of six children. He idolized his father, Walter, and his older brother, John. Known as “Cigar Butt” by John’s friends, Denny loved hanging around the older guys, fetching beers from the fridge, watching them play cards and work on old cars. His best friend growing up was Louie DeRosier. Louie and Denny were known for running the streets of the neighborhood, starting fires, spying on girls, and racing muscle cars down the streets of Bloomfield.

Despite struggling academically through grade school – even claiming that he hated school – Dad’s perseverance led him to graduate from college with a degree in architecture from the Lawrence Institute of Technology. His work with general contractors during his college years instilled in him an appreciation for hard work and a passion for the craft of carpentry. It was during this time dad’s passion for the trades began to outweigh his desire to draw.

Dad had an entrepreneurial spirit. He started a small design-build decking company with his friend, Eric Vogler. Denny would do the design and together they would sell and build decks. Soon thereafter, Denny met his “friend for a lifetime” in our beloved Rolf Englahrd. A friendship to envy with a bond so strong Denny said, “Rolf would literally walk in front of a bus for me.” If anyone knows Denny and Rolf, you know they love to tell stories. Rolf especially — and Dad more so in his final years. When it came to bar hopping and chasing women, it’s safe to say these two were the top of the chain. From parties at the castle house to leading local police on car chases, the stories of the “Gold Dust Twins” will live on in infamy. One of my personal favorites was the time two guys convinced a young lady to take a plane ride. They told her if they searched long enough – perhaps one of the planes at the local airport might still have the keys in it. Not knowing Rolf was a pilot and he had the keys the whole time, up they went into the night. Gotta give the girl credit …. she never had a clue.

In 1972, Denny moved to “the golden hills of” California to live with his sister Tina. Something tells me it was more about the golden blonde women – but l digress. Rolf soon followed, and they started their first business, cutting down trees and selling firewood on the side. Denny said Rolf could sell wood to anyone — snow to an Eskimo type. Denny quickly established Creative Contracting of CA Inc. and would grow to become known as one of the top builders in Marin County. The first few houses Denny built were with his own hands before moving into the management side. Creative Contracting soon had its own cabinet shop where Denny loved to spend his spare time designing and building furniture.

In 1976, he and Rolf founded Creative Energy Corporation, selling hot tubs in the hot tub capital of the world in the late 70s. Rolf’s engineering background led him to develop a state-of-the-art equipment package to heat and filter hot tubs 24 hours a day, something unheard of at the time. After a slow start, Creative Energy started to take off, and they needed help. With a little nudging, older brother John Kasten, took a leap of faith, and moved his family of nine from Michigan to California. Denny would design backyard decks, trellises, and gazebos around the wooden hot tubs from Creative Energy. John and Denny worked together every day for nearly 50 years. Dad told me how lucky he was to have his faithful hero of an older brother for a business partner.

One of Denny and Rolfs favorite bars was the Silver Peso, many of you locals know the spot. Denny soon met his first wife, our amazing mother Leslie. Denny and Rolf figured if she could hang at the Peso, she was a keeper. Whoever thought taking a hot blond to a Harley Davidson bar for a first date was a good idea? The gold dust twins, that’s who.

Denny and Leslie were soon married and raised five amazing children over 18 years of marriage. To say they were great parents would be a drastic understatement. They gave us the most amazing childhood one could dream up. They say that Behind every great man … is a great woman …. such was the case for Denny’s entire life.

Denny remodeled and put an addition on his first home at 1931 Novato Blvd. Later, he split and sold half of the property which would help fund his next adventure. Denny designed, and Creative Contracting built our next home at 1910 Benton Lane. And lastly, he his current home, with some of the the best views in the bay area, at 328 Pacific Ave here in Pt Richmond.

Denny met his current wife, Kristina Loretta Kasten, in 1996. A perfect match, Denny and Kris were the best of friends and the two never left each other’s side. Kristina, I want to thank you for loving Dad so well. It was amazing to watch, day in and day out, as you demonstrated what true love really is. You have no idea how much you meant to him …. and how much that means to me and the rest of the family.

Denny’s cancer diagnosis came in July of 2022. The fast-moving cancer spread quickly to his brain and into his back. Dad was soon hospitalized, and we thought we were losing him right then and there. Thankfully, doctors found a mutation that allowed him to take a pill form of chemotherapy that would extend his life. Denny lived in great health for another 2-½ years, working out daily, riding his peloton, traveling with Kris to Florida and seeing a Formula One race in Las Vegas. Playing golf numerous times with his sons, taking a trip to Michigan to see Louie and relive his childhood, taking his family on a Caribbean Cruise to the Bahamas, and finally, a luxurious trip to Puerto Vallarta, Mexico, with his five children and eight grandchildren.

6 months ago I was driving by Marin General hospital, the very place we almost lost dad 3 years ago. At the very same instant I was thanking the Lord for the extra time Denny calls.

Dad I was just talking to God about you. Denny replied “well that’s interesting because I was just on a walk and met a man looking out over the bay. It just so happens the man was a carpenter so of course the two hit it off. At the end of their time together the man asked Dad if he knew Jesus. Denny said yes and they prayed together before parting ways. Denny and I both cried through this call. It’s amazing how the Lord searches us out – right up to the very end – even if it takes a carpenter and talking about work. Dad often struggled mentally with the idea of God, but his soft heart was opened and the day before he passed – he invited Jesus in.

Some of Dad’s favorite quotes:

• “Howdy Partner”

• “Isn’t this fun?!”

• “I’m a lucky man!”

• And one coined by his father, Walter – “That’s a good idea — even if it was yours!”

• My personal favorite was always “HALLELUJA” usually after winning a new project.

Dad’s final weeks and days were engulfed in quality one-on-one time with Kris and everyone else that he loved. Denny’s unwavering belief in the goodness of others, coupled with his willingness to help inspire them, left a lasting impact on many. He cared deeply for his friends, his family, for Kris, his employees, and his clients.

One of our electricians said, “where I am from they would call Denny “The Finest Kind”. The Finest Kind Denny was!

Dad – thank you for always being so patient and kind. Thank you for everything you’ve taught us over all these years. And most of all – thank you for showing us how to be better humans. We will see you again – sooner than later.

Now put your hands high and wide – smile big – and hold it for 10 seconds.