Travel industry visionary and pioneer Arthur C. Tauck Jr., chairman emeritus of Tauck and patriarch of one of the travel industry's most prominent families, died Feb. 11 at his home in Vero Beach, Fla. He was 94.
Tauck joined his father's New England-based domestic motorcoach company in 1950. He was named president in 1958 after his father retired and handed the reins of the company to him, telling him he was "going fishing."
The younger Tauck became the driving force behind the tour operation's growth and expansion into a global powerhouse. The company, which celebrated its 100th birthday last year, takes travelers to every corner of the planet. It is still family owned and its fourth generation has joined the company.
With Arthur Jr. at the helm, the company expanded west from its East Coast base and developed national parks itineraries that culminated in a long partnership with filmmaker Ken Burns. He brought the niche sports of heli-skiing and heli-hiking into the mainstream. He expanded operations outside of the U.S. in the 1990s and moved into river cruising, which became a significant part of the business.
Tauck continued to have a daily hand in the business even after he left the presidency in 1996; virtually every decision required what was known as "Arthurization." He served as chairman from 1996 to 2007 and remained active as chairman emeritus, continuing to read every customer comment card personally.
Photo Credit: Tauck
Tracing Arthur Tauck's success, one sees a recurring theme: People mattered.
His impact on the entire tour operator segment was significant. When the now-defunct Interstate Commerce Commission declared that tour operators were illegal because of restrictions on interstate bus travel, Tauck took the case to the U.S. Supreme Court in the 1950s, alongside other operators. They won.
A natural storyteller, Tauck's curiosity, modest style and sense of humor helped forge deep human connections with friends and competitors alike. He was a founder and two-term past president of both the U.S. Tour Operators Association and the National Tour Association.
"Arthur was our rock," said Terry Dale, the USTOA's CEO. "He led us with intellect, integrity and inspiration. We will share his stories for generations to come, bringing hope to all."
Both associations jointly formed Tourism Cares, a philanthropic initiative of the tourism industry, for which Tauck served as a founding member and one-time chairman. His strong belief in the value of education led him to serve as a trustee and vice chairman of the Travel Institute, as well as serving on the board of the Travel Industry of America, predecessor to the U.S. Travel Association.
"Arthur was a beloved travel industry legend, visionary and pioneer whose passion for high-quality and memorable experience leaves an enduring legacy," said former U.S. Travel CEO Roger Dow.
Tauck's adventurous spirit
Tauck was born on Sept. 7, 1931. His mother died when he was 5, which instilled in him a strong focus on family ties.
As a teenager, he trained polo ponies and taught horseback riding. He attended Lehigh University, leading tours in his father's company during summer breaks. After graduating, he entered the U.S. Air Force as a lieutenant, stationed in Germany, after which he returned to his family's business.
Tauck had a strong sense of adventure, which led him to learn celestial navigation and participate in sailing and ocean racing. He was also an avid skier, bicyclist, golfer and scuba diver. He shared these avocations with his children.
A self-described "spaghetti head," his wide-ranging interests brought novel approaches to problem solving in all areas of his life. He was a mentor to company associates and enjoyed working alongside his adult children and son-in-law in the family business. He spoke often of his confidence that his grandchildren would uphold the company's values and steward it successfully in its second century.
Tauck was also founder and chairman of the Tauck Family Foundation, a 30-year-old private charitable foundation established to encourage multiple generations of his family to work together, to give back, and to make a positive impact on the world. Its mission supports communities impacted by climate and environmental challenges to maintain healthy, regenerative ecosystems and land-use practices through education and engagement.
Tauck is survived by his wife Ronni; sister Connie Wright; former wife Lee Louttit Tauck and their five children, Chuck Tauck (Fran), Robin Tauck, Peter Tauck, Kiki Mahar (Dan) and Liz Walters (Fred); four step-children, Bernhard Duerrmeier (Amber Chang), Marina Rizzi (Damian), Christopher Duerrmeier (Laura Mui), and Philip Duerrmeier; as well as 21 grandchildren and many nieces and nephews.
The Tauck family will celebrate his life in a private memorial service later this spring. Contributions in his memory may be made to Tourism Cares or to Fairfield County's Community Foundation.