Lorette Resch, a pioneer of the St. Thomas hotel community and prominent resident of the Virgin Islands, died April 21 at the age of 86.
“Lorette Resch was a unique, fierce force of nature," said Richard Doumeng, president of the Caribbean Hotel and Tourism Association. "There was no one quite like her before she arrived on the scene and there won’t be another like her now that she is gone – a true iconic figure in Caribbean tourism.”
News of Resch’s death was released Monday evening by Laurel Kaufmann of the U.S. Virgin Islands Hotel and Tourism Association.
Kaufmann shared anecdotes and memories about Resch passed on by her many friends in the islands. Many commented on the difficulty of capturing her fiery personality in words, according to Kaufmann, who added, "They all agreed that Resch was an invaluable team player who worked tirelessly to promote tourism in the region."
“Lorette Resch, along with her late husband, Michael, were island icons," said Mary Gleason, a friend and fellow key figure in the local hotel industry. "They came to the island when tourism was in its infancy and were able to make their own rules. The first word which comes to my mind when I think of Lorette is feisty! She always spoke her mind – no matter what the consequences.”
The Resches first came to the U.S. Virgin Islands in the mid-1950s. When their cruise ship was indefinitely docked in St. Thomas due to inclement weather, they visited the island’s pristine beaches and had a vision. They imagined a bungalow-style hotel where guests could stay while they visited St. Thomas. The Island Beachcomber, the first beachfront hotel in the Virgin Islands, became a reality a very short time after."
Knowing that their guests needed a way to travel across the island, the Resches also opened the first car rental agency, Sun Island Car Rental. They eventually acquired three additional properties: Tropic Isle Hotel, Contant Great House, and Shibui, the first villa-style mountainside resort.
According to the USVIHTA, Michael designed and built the properties with insight and
integrity while Lorette was instrumental in hiring and training staff. They were both committed to elevating the island and services available to visitors.
The Resches, Lorette in particular, traveled with their own funds accompanying tourism officials and promoting the USVI to travel agents.
Lorette became an allied member of the American Society of Travel Agents and attended their trade shows in Australia, Hong Kong, Tokyo, Greece and Amsterdam, where she was able to speak to a captive audience of more than 1,000 travel agents.
In 1972, Jack Gold of the Caribbean Hotel Association recruited her to be part of his Small Hotels Advisory Committee, which was tasked with expanding membership.
The council went from island to island, personally providing practical assistance to national hotel associations with the development of their hotel and tourism product. The SHAC experts covered everything from food and beverage operation to accounting, public relations and marketing.
Lorette Resch became the first woman elected to the CHA board of directors in 1974 and later was appointed as the first CHA treasurer, a position she held for more than 10 years. She was named Caribbean Hotelier of the Year in 1984, becoming the first woman to receive this recognition. She was also an honorary member of CHTA.
Resch supported the CHA Education Foundation from the beginning and was involved in the establishment of the silent auction as a main fundraising event for the foundation.
“Although CHA was officially launched in Puerto Rico in 1962, much of the impetus for its growth and regional recognition came from the Virgin Islands, in particular St. Thomas," said former CHA Executive Director John Bell in 2010. "Lorette Resch, more than anyone, was the fulcrum on which CHA’s credibility was balanced and who provided the impetus that made it a regional force to be reckoned with.”
The Resches were original members of the St. Thomas-St. John Hotel Association, now the USVI Hotel and Tourism Association, which was founded by Lorette, Alton Adams Sr., and Milan Glumidge. The Resches received the association’s Award of Excellence at the USVIHTA 2010 Tommy Star Awards Gala.
Lorette’s late husband, Michael Resch, died March 15, 2011, at the age of 87. She is survived by three children, Nancy Cleary, Michael Resch and Laurie Osuchowski, grandchildren, Michael Madden Resch, Caitlin Cleary, Nicholas Resch, Erin (Cleary) Alexander, Johnathan Resch, Michael Cleary, and Jecen and Elizabeth Osuchowski. She is also survived by her sister, Irene Heyman of North Carolina.
The family is still involved with the ongoing operation of the Island Beachcomber Hotel, a family commitment spanning three generations.
A viewing will be held at Hurley-Davis Funeral Home from 5 to 7 p.m. Wednesday. In lieu of flowers, friends are asked to send donations to the USVI Hotel and Tourism Association’s Scholarship Fund.
Details can be obtained by calling USVIHTA President Lisa Hamilton at 340-774-6835.