Rainer Schaller, founder of RSG Group, which owns Gold’s Gym among other brands, has been confirmed dead, RSG Group announced on Nov. 4.
Schaller, his life partner Christiane Schikorsky and their two children along with an RSG Group employee and a pilot were on a nine-seat Piaggio P180 Avanti jet that crashed into the Caribbean Sea on a flight from Mexico to Costa Rica Oct. 21.
Schaller and the other individuals were presumed dead at the time, but on Nov. 4 RSG Group confirmed that Schaller and his son have now been identified as the two bodies found just a day after the crash. The bodies of the others, who have not been named, have not yet been found, and after 11 days, the search for more bodies was called off.
RSG Group released a statement expressing grief and sympathy for the families of those dead or missing.
The statement also shared more about Schaller and his impact on RSG Group:
“Rainer was more than just the founder and guiding light of our company. He was someone who inspired people to reach for the stars. Who encouraged others to believe in themselves and their own potential and was firmly convinced that there are no limits to those who pursue common goals with united forces.
“As a visionary, he pushed ideas forward and made them a reality. With his boundless passion for innovation, he has achieved the impossible, which no one else believed in at first.
“As founder, owner and CEO, he created and lived a corporate culture where trust is sown and true friendship is reaped alongside success.
“As a friend and mentor, he was there for others unconditionally. At eye level, approachable and open, he listened to others and provided reassurance – especially when they needed it most.As a person, Rainer loved life. And yet, he never forgot that you must go through struggle in order to grow.
“In 25 years, there were countless moments when we worked together, celebrated, laughed, and motivated each other. We will remember every one of them that shaped us as a company and as an RSG Group family – gratefully and proudly. All these moments will drive us to continue Rainer’s vision and to let his values, which are firmly rooted in our everyday life, live on.
“For Rainer and his family.
“For our colleagues, friends and long-time companions.
“And for all those whose lives they have touched as much as ours.”
No details were offered on a memorial service for Schaller or the others who died in the accident.
Schaller was born in 1969 in Germany. He opened his first gym in 1997. Today, RSG Group owns 21 fitness, lifestyle and fashion brands that include Gold’s Gym, McFit, John Reed, Heimat, Holmes Place Spain, High5 and others.