In Memoriam: Rüdiger von Eisenhart-Rothe, 86

Storied CMB Leader, Ran London Syndication Loan Group

Rüdiger (Rudi) von Eisenhart-Rothe, 84, a beloved banker who led Chase's London Syndication Loan Group, died of cancer in Sotogrande, Spain, on February 6, 2026.
 
Among his survivors are his wife of 45 years, Britta (a Chase Alumna) two children from his first marriage to Carol Schoeppler, his two children with Britta, a stepson, and seven grandchildren.
 
While we are awaiting more information for a formal "In Memoriam", we wanted to share this remembrance sent on behalf of the London Syndication Loan Group:
 
Rudi led Chase’s Loan Syndication team within the nascent investment banking business (which included Swaps, Asset Sales, Project Finance and Euro Commercial Paper) in the 1980s and 1990s to be one of the most successful in the European markets. Few bosses have people who still get together more than 30 years later; fewer still travel regularly from Spain to London to be with them. Rudi was due over in January, but had to cancel due to his hospital treatment. No one wanted to hold the dinner without him.
 
To a young banker, his old-school formality could be intimidating, but appearances were deceptive, belying a twinkling self-deprecation, as when leaving his office on a trip to Moscow, c. 1987 and announcing to no one in particular: “This is the first time that a von Eisenhart has ever been to Russia, other than on a cavalry horse or in a tank."  Never reticent in sharing his opinion, he expected even the strongest to be challenged by cogent counter-argument from anyone who could demonstrate that they knew what they were talking about (and God help those who did not), and his keen competitiveness never overstepped professionalism into unkindness.
 
He mistreated only English metaphor, from pearls such as “from my vintage point”, “don’t count your chickens before they’re hedged” and “we’re all peddling the same canoe” to the unfathomable “he has the guts of a rainworm” and “a gentle wink with a bargepole”.  These and others were compiled by Saatchi & Saatchi as a loan tombstone and presented to him on his departure to Frankfurt, where they hung on the wall of his office.
 
Rudi achieved a rare balance of leadership in an aggressive environment with the decency of a true gentleman.  He inspired respect, trust and affection which has survived decades and will live on with his memory.
 
A memorial gathering is being planned in London. If you are interested in attending, let us know. We will forward your email to the organizers.
 

Remembrances

 
Please send reminiscences to news@chasealum.org.
 
From Peter and Sigrid Gross: We were absolutely shocked and now it is with great sadness to receive the message of Ruediger’s passing last Friday. Just a month ago we received his annual Christmas message. It was somewhat emotional in refering to the many years of our friendship and the joint experiences over more than five decades. Perhaps our Prussian origin gave the bond for the many years of friendship. Ruediger and I never had the pleasure of working directly together, except when I was succeeding him as the representative of Orion in 1976 in New York. He was off to London and we started a year later our journey to South Africa and many other places around the world. We always stayed in touch and actually spent two marvelous weeks together at the first Chase allumni trip to the Netherlands 10 years ago. We were always planning to get together, but the logistics between Spain and North Carolina just seemed against it. 
     We are sending our heartfelt condolences and prayers to Britta and the entire family. Ruediger RIP.