Gordon S. Rentschler

Gordon Sohn Rentschler was a chairman of First [National City Bank], a predecessor of Citigroup.

Biography

Rentschler was born in Hamilton, Ohio, on November 25, 1885. His father was George A. Rentschler, one of the principals of the Hooven-Owens-Rentschler engine manufacturer. His brother was a Frederick Brant Rentschler.
He graduated as president of the class at Princeton University in 1907 and returned to the family business. Following a flood in 1913 he worked with National City to secure a $35 million bond issue for permanent flood control issues. His actions drew the attention of Charles E. Mitchell who became his patron at the bank.
In 1921, following a collapse of sugar prices in Cuba, he acted on behalf of National City in dealing with the problem. In 1923 he was offered a directorship at the company at the age of 38—the youngest director in the bank's history at the time. He would commute once a week to New York. In 1925 he left management of his family business for First National. He was elevated to chairman in 1940.
Rentschler died of a heart attack while still chairman of the bank and on trip to Cuba.