Search for clues

During my research into Walter Rutt's relatives, I was able to speak several times with people who had known him personally. However, the information I received from these contemporary witnesses was vague and sometimes contradictory.

Based on the address information in a directory of all telephone connections in Germany, I therefore wrote to all persons listed under the name “Rutt” in August 2003. In my letter, I asked them to let me know whether they were related to Walter Rutt.

I received ten replies to the 91 letters I sent out. Nine of my requests were answered negatively, but the one positive reply turned out to be a direct hit. Renate Rutt wrote to me saying that she was the grandniece of the world champion and had photos that she would send me, also on behalf of her brother Thomas. The two of them also gave me engraved cutlery from Heinrich Rutt's hotel, the Kaiserhof.

Among the negative responses, one letter particularly touched me. The author wrote: “My husband is a great admirer of Walter Rutt. There were posters and other items, but the war and the occupation until 1950 left nothing behind here in the house.” The couple had run a hotel at the time in question.