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ADRP Loses Advocate, Leader and Friend

Posted on: Wednesday, October 12, 2011

Category: Announcements

by Deborah Swift

ADRP lost a tremendous friend and advocate September 28 when Rolf Kovenetsky, vice president of corporate and community relations for New York Blood Center and 1988-89 ADRP president passed away after a brief illness.

Although not one of the original founding fathers of ADRP, Rolf certainly did more than his fair share of heavy lifting for the organization over the years.

“Rolf was the godfather of donor recruitment. Well before donor recruitment was considered a profession, Rolf was a driving force behind the organization,” wrote Suzanne McCombs, 1997-98 ADRP president.

2003-04 ADRP president Michael J. Nichol echoed the thoughts of many: “While Rolf ’s loss will be felt by many, the donor recruitment profession has lost a great builder, supporter and leader. There have been few who have been more committed to the cause of the organization and the work of donor recruiters than Rolf.  This commitment and his vision and the ability to think big have contributed significantly to making ADRP the international voice of donor recruitment that it has become.”

“Rolf was one of the brightest and most approachable people in blood banking,” shared John Armitage, Oklahoma Blood Institute CEO and 2005-06 ADRP president. “His gifts were many, not the least of which was an ability to promote blood banking in larger global, economic and strategic frameworks.  He radiated enthusiasm for our mission and the positive aspects of humanity that it represents. His great stories and cheerful, but grounded outlook provided an instant recharge for his listeners.  I am lucky to have known him and will continue to rely on him as an inspiration.”

As noted in an article in the Fall Drop, once word about Rolf’s passing spread across the globe, the reactions were swift, heartfelt and filled with sadness.
Please take a moment to read the article and, like those quoted, take a moment to share fond memories you have of Rolf.

Rolf leaves behind his wife, Regina, as well as his son, David, and daughter, Rachel. Memorial contributions may be made in Rolf’s memory to NYBC, by following this link: https://support.nybloodcenter.org/rolf.

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Moira Carter, SNBTS on October 13, 2011 wrote:

I first met Rolf at a Red Cross workshop in Geneva where he inspired me at at time when I most needed inspiration! He raised recruitment from the tactical to the strategic. He gave generously of his time and even made the trip to SNBTS’s annual conference in Stirling where inspired the rest of or team. Perhaps even more impressive was the energy he devoted to the party afterwards too! He managed to out last the Scots and Irish-(no mean feat!)
He was a great favourite in Scotland and a much loved mentor and friend. He is a great loss to the Blood Service industry.

Pat Bezjak on October 13, 2011 wrote:

Deb, I could not agree with you more. I started my blood banking career in 1979 with Virginia Blood Services and I remember like it was yesterday when Dr. John Thornton and Leslie Vogt took me to New York to AABB and we had dinner with Rolf. To this day I can say I never had a more enjoyable time, Rolf amazed me. Over the years I have learned a lot from Rolf about this industry. I had the pleasure of seeing him at a NYBC Platelet Recognition program several years ago and we laughed about how much the industry has changed over the years and as always he made me laugh,,,what a joy he was. He will be missed!

Sharon Zetts on October 13, 2011 wrote:

I worked for Rolf for several years and always thought of him as the “Idea Man”.  He was continually thinking of new ways to recruit donors and have fun doing it.  He loved to tell a good story and teach you at the same time.  Whenever in his company, I learned something I hadn’t thought of before while usually having a good laugh.  There is no one like Rolf. He broke the mold, and we are all the better for having known him.

Lynne Willdigg on October 17, 2011 wrote:

I was so desperately saddened to hear of Rolf’s death but at the same time heartened by the fact that I had had the opportunity to learn from him and have him as an amazing mentor for a short time.
I first met him when he came to speak at our annual Scottish Conference but it was his Corporate Collection master workshop after the conference that really inspired me. The following year Rolf acted for a week as my mentor and host when I visited NYBC on a Fellowship scholorship. He ensured that that week was one of the best learning experiences of my whole career. His enthusism, commitment and passion for donor recruitment especially within the corporate sector will stay with me always.

Finally I will always think of Rolf as one of life’s gentlemen; a dedicated husband who obviously adored his wife and family and a fabulous storyteller. He will be sadly missed.

Gail Nothard on October 17, 2011 wrote:

I had the privelage of meeting Rolf a few times when we visited New York Blood Centre.  He gave us so much insight to stakeholder relations and was so happy to share his knowledge.  What a wonderful person. This is a such a loss.  My prayers and thoughts are with his family and the management and staff of NY Blood Centre.

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