Markus Rodlauer passed away on November 19th in Washington, DC, surrounded by his family. He was 64.

Markus was born to Walter and Christina Rodlauer on May 9, 1957, in Innsbruck, Austria. His love of sports and the outdoors took root early on, and from a young age he was a daring skier, cyclist, and soccer player. As he got older, a knack for languages and desire for adventure lured him farther afield. Longing to travel the world, Markus took a job working as a tour boat guide on the Danube River in the summers between his university studies. This foreshadowed a long career in international diplomacy.

Equipped with immense intellect, Markus was an accomplished student. He graduated in 1981 with a law degree from the University of Innsbruck, and then completed his graduate studies at the Diplomatic Academy in Vienna. In 1983, while working in the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the International Monetary Fund accepted Markus to its Young Economist Program. He soon moved to the United States, where he went on to complete a master’s degree in macroeconomics at George Washington University while working full time at the IMF. On top of his native German, Markus spoke English, Spanish, French, Russian, and Italian, and he never missed a chance to practice these languages any time he met a native speaker.

Throughout his professional life, Markus used his remarkable skills to better the world. He committed thirty-six years to a career at the International Monetary Fund, with work spanning both multiple topics and continents. He led field offices in the Philippines and Poland, dedicated time to the Human Resources Department, and later took the helm of the IMF’s Asia Pacific as Deputy Director. Another highlight of Markus’ time at the Fund was his service as Mission Chief for China. Throughout his career, Markus’ colleagues repeatedly championed his ability to balance expansive knowledge with empathy, humor, and grace. Dedicated to the Fund’s mission, Markus loved that his work both let him tackle hard problems and explore new cities.

Not long after he started at the Fund, Markus met the love of his life, Alice Smith-Croxatto. They married in 1990, and their three children soon followed: Matias, Andres, and Camila. Markus loved nothing more than being with his family, whether that was on the soccer field, at the dinner table, or out traveling the world. Markus led his family on hikes in the Alps, took them skiing in Vermont and Austria, and visited friends and family in Chile, France and New Hampshire.

Though Markus retired from the IMF in 2018, the international economic community could not quite manage to let him go. Promptly courted by the European Stability Mechanism (ESM), Markus relocated to Luxembourg where he worked as an executive advisor until his passing. During this chapter, Alice and Markus were based in Vienna and enjoyed many weekend trips throughout Europe - especially when their children could join them. Markus was thrilled to be back in his native Austria.

Lovingly known as Flaco, Markus embraced each day with energy and joy. Whether in the IMF boardroom, at a dinner party, on the sports field, or at home, Markus was the quintessential gentleman. His mischievous wit and infectious laugh will be missed by the many people who love him. Though lung cancer ended his time on earth, Markus will forever live on in the hearts of his family and friends,the lessons he taught us, and the great memories we share.

Markus is survived by his wife, Alice; sons, Matias and Andres; daughter, Camila; brother, Tassilo; half-sister, Ursula; and numerous cousins, nieces and nephews.

In lieu of flowers, the Rodlauer Family suggests giving to Cycle for Survival, an organization devoted to supporting research against rare cancers like the one that took Markus from us far too soon.

https://secure2.convio.net/ms…

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