Gary J. Schluter

Gary James Schluter, 73, died on May 1, 2024 as he and his husband, Siswo Prasetio (Tio), were visiting Indonesia, Tio’s home country. Gary departed this world doing what he loves-exploring the beauty and diversity of our world.

Born on January 30, 1951 to Howard and Jeanette (Oberheu) Schluter in Waverly, IA, Gary was a family man from a very young age.With two sisters and two brothers, Gary tolerated a lot of sibling bantering, however always in good fun. The family moved to Orlando, Florida where he attended grade school and early high school. Summer vacations were spent on a farm outside of Plainfield, Iowa where the five Schluter children enjoyed the innocent childhood joys including treehouses, goats, chickens, and playing Robinhood. Family reunions frequented their calendar where cousins, aunts, and uncles enjoyed picnics, pranks, ball games, and chasing fireflies. The siblings often teased that he was Grandma Schluter’s favorite.  As the others shoveled the drive after a heavy snow, he would enjoy warm cinnamon rolls in the house while deciding if he should share payment or keep it for himself. 

Born into a family that prioritized travel, discovery, and togetherness, Gary inherited a love for exploration from an early age. From road trips to Washington DC and Niagara Falls to camping trips with the over-packed pop-up camper to the Grand Canyon and Yosemite, these family vacations laid the foundation for Gary’s lifelong pursuit of tourism. 

Gary prioritized his studies from an early age. After graduating from Nashua High School in 1969, he spent his college summers as a tour guide for Yellowstone National Park. Gary graduated from Luther College in Decorah, Iowa with a triple major in mathematics, economics, and business. 

Gary began his career in tourism while in college working summer seasons as a tour guide in Yellowstone National Park. After many years in the park, he worked for Wyoming Travel Commission, where he received honors from the National Tour Association for his ideas of promoting travel as a regional concept going outside the state boundaries and working with neighboring states in developing and promoting itineraries. After many years as a tour operator, Gary began Rocky Mountain Holiday Tours, which became the largest “regional” receptive operator for the American West.

Gary served on the Colorado Tourism Board’s International Travel Promotions Committee and was instrumental in having RMH Tours named as the “Official Receptive Operator” for the marketing promotion group Rocky Mountain International (European Marketing program for the tourism office of Idaho, Montana, South Dakota, North Dakota and Wyoming). In 2011, Rocky Mountain Holiday Tours was given the “International Travel” Award at the North Dakota Tourism Conference. In June 2016 was appointed by the U.S. Secretary of Commerce to the U.S. Travel and Tourism Advisory Board and sat on the Visa Evaluation Committee. He also served as an At-Large Board Member for the U.S. Travel Association and participated as an operator member of their NPS Committee.

Gary also served as Chairman of the International Inbound Travel Association (IITA) from 2016 through 2019.  Gary led the organization through a successful rebrand and expanded its membership and impact across the country. He retired in recent years from the inbound tour company he founded, Rocky Mountain Holiday Tours.

Gary’s leadership took IITA to new heights developing partnerships with U.S Travel/IPW and Brand USA, and strengthening relationships with government agencies, most notably the National Park Service.   Beloved throughout the travel industry for his caring nature, spirit and sense of humor, Gary inspired and mentored many travel professionals to showcase America and provide excellent tourism experiences to the rest of the world.

Gary was introduced to his husband, Tio, by a mutual friend in 2011.  After dating for more than two years, Gary surprised Tio by whisking him off to San Diego to get married in January of 2014.  Throughout their 10 years of marriage, Gary and Tio had a lot of great adventures together. Gary’s family and friends commented on how happy Gary was after he married Tio.  Tio truly was the “love of his life” and made Gary very happy.  

“Uncle Gary” made his nieces, nephews, and greats always feel special and made sure to spoil them on birthdays and Christmases.  Each family member anticipated his cards, as we knew they would arrive at the latest, on time,  for each special occasion. His Christmas cards, with beautiful photos, always announced his latest travels as he introduced connections with people and places across the world. 

Gary provided a home away from home for many family members as they vacationed out West to enjoy the beautiful landscapes that he transformed into a lifelong career. Labeled a “tourism marketing genius,” Gary exemplified the concept that if you “find a job you love, you’ll never work a day in your life”. 

Gary is survived by his husband Tio (Siswo Prasetio) of Denver, CO; mother, Jeanette (Oberhue) Schluter of Nashua, IA; two sisters, Joyce Haberman of Nashua, IA and Kathie Schluter of Charles City, IA; two brothers, Lynne (Lisa) Schluter of Nashua, IA and Larry (Patti) Schluter of Farmington, MN; many nieces, nephews, great-nieces, and great nephews. He was preceded in death by his father, Howard Schluter and brother-in-law, Ken Haberman.