The travel industry mourns the passing of Rod Rutter, victim of the COVID-19 pandemic, who died during December. Rod was well loved in the industry for his young-at-heart nature and zest for life. He is best known for the role he played in the founding and leadership of the XL Travel Group.
An industrial chemist by trade, Rod moved to South Africa aged 17 where he met and fell in love with Tonny, with whom he recently celebrated 50 years of marriage. Rod’s daughter, Chantal Rutter Dros, told Travel News that the two had met over the Bunsen burners in a laboratory and that her father would regularly quip that there had been “chemistry in the air”.
“My sister Carmen and I have memories of a father with a passion for travel; a fun sense of humour; a love of good wine, whisky, food and good times. He had a deep-rooted love of travel and was an explorer at heart. Our pops supported and guided us through life with unconditional love, sage wisdom and unfailing optimism – he sacrificed to give us opportunities, lauded our achievements and encouraged education, independence, a strong social conscience and sense of family,” said Chantal.
Mary Shilleto, XL Travel board member, said: “He was so passionate about our country and the travel industry and was such a kind and charming man.”
She said XL Travel, founded 15 years ago, had been Rod’s brainchild and that he, together with the founding members, had built it from scratch and grown it into one of the largest travel consortiums in South Africa. Rod served as ceo of the group for 10 years before retiring and moving down to Fancourt to be closer to his grandchildren.
Marco Ciochetti, who took over from Rod as ceo of XL Travel, said Rod had set the group apart from its competitors through his transparent dealings and the implementation of a decision to pay members 100% of their overrides – an unheard-of offering in the industry at the time. Marco added that Rod’s genuine love of people had helped to build strong relationships. He was always game for fun and was the heart and soul of every get-together, said Marco.
“I knew Rod for many, many years. He was a kind, considerate person with a zest for life. He never spoke ill about anyone and was a thorough gentleman – a true professional and leader in the travel industry. And, of course, he kept an active interest in his football passion – Chelsea FC!” said Jimmy Eichelgruen, Delta Air Lines director of sales for Africa, Middle East and India.
“Rod and I go back to when XL Travel was a mere idea. Those meetings we held at my home and other venues were filled with amazing ideas and lots of fun. It was Rod who not only developed the very best travel consortium in the country but also instilled a spirit of camaraderie, integrity and enjoyment in the enterprise, and carried that spirit through for all the years that he headed up the group,” said ceo of XL Rosebank Travel, Allan Wolman.