In Memoriam: Rüdiger von Eisenhart-Rothe, 86
Storied CMB Leader, Ran London Syndication Loan Group
Rüdiger (Rudi) von Eisenhart-Rothe, 86, a beloved banker who filled many leadersnip roles as part of an illustrious banking career with Chase Manhattan, died peacefully surrounded by his family in Sotogrande, Spain, on February 6, 2026.
Von Eisenhart was born in 1939 in Potsdam, Germany, one of four children. He studied law at Goethe University Frankfurt before joining Chase’s credit training program in Frankfurt in 1968, beginning a distinguished international career that would span four decades.
He ran the Frankfurt Credit Training Program very successfully from 1970 to 1971, and, according to one of his charges there, many Alumni owe him their careers at Chase.
Following an early role in the corporate bank in Hamburg, Von Eisenhart joined the London-based Orion Group in 1973 as Chase liaison for syndications. In 1976, he headed Chase Manhattan's London Group at Berkeley Square, where he established a reputation for leadership, clarity of judgment and strong client relationships.
In 1981 he transferred to New York with the investment bank to oversee Latin America, before returning to London as Head of Client Relationships and later Structured and Project Finance for the EMEA region. In 1991 he became CEO for Germany, Switzerland and Austria, based in Frankfurt, bringing both international perspective and deep regional understanding to the role.
After leaving Chase, von Eisenhart continued his banking career with Commerzbank in Frankfurt, before retiring to Spain. There he devoted more time to golf — a passion first kindled during rainy days in Richmond while living in London.
He is survived by two children from his first marriage to Carol Schoeppler, and by two children and a stepson from his marriage to Britta von Eisenhart-Rothe, whom he met at Chase in London and married in 1981. He also leaves seven grandchildren.
He will be remembered by colleagues and friends across the Chase alumni community for his professionalism, international outlook and enduring warmth.
This remembrance was 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.
We are sending our heartfelt condolences and prayers to Britta and the entire family. Ruediger RIP.
From Hans van den Houten: Many years ago, in the late sixties, Rudi and I first met in the credit department training phase of both our careers at Chase. We met on frequent occasions in New York as two Europeans in the American environment. Unfortunately, our paths in life did not allow us to meet frequently. It was not until Britta and his visit to the Netherlands in September of 2010, when they joined the “The Netherlands You Don’t Know Trip” my wife Marian and I organized for 59 CAA members. It was great to have this opportunity to see Rudi again and catch up on our various career developments. Rudi was a fine German gentleman with lots of family history, but, primarily to me, he was a good pal in the Chase environment. Regretfully, we did not have more opportunities to meet and enjoy our stories of life. Now that life has passed for Rudi, and with this note of remembrance, I am expressing my sincere and heartfelt condolences to Britta and her family. May Rudi Rest In Peace!