Burt Kerr Todd
USA- Adventurer, Businessman, and Trailblazer: Bert Kerr Todd
- Early Years: A Thirst for Adventure
- World War II and Education
- Encounter with Bhutan and International Travels
- Bhutan and the Postal Revolution
- Business Ventures and Entrepreneurship
- The "Kerr-Hays Company" and International Relations
- Legacy of Adventure and Business Acumen
Adventurer, Businessman, and Trailblazer: Bert Kerr Todd
Born into a wealthy Pittsburgh family on May 15, 1924, Bert Kerr Todd embarked on a life filled with adventure, business ventures, and international connections.
Early Years: A Thirst for Adventure
Todd displayed an unyielding thirst for adventure from an early age. At seven, he and a friend ran away from home to Chicago to join the gangsters. While the two boarded a freight train, Todd's father pursued them with the police, who detained them at a nearby station. Despite the incident, Todd's desire for adventure remained.
World War II and Education
After attending Choate School, Todd enrolled in Williams College. With the outbreak of World War II, he joined the Army Air Forces and served as a radar instructor. Following the war, Todd decided to pursue further education and travel before joining the family steel-holding business. He chose Oxford University but faced an initial obstacle: the official who granted admission was honeymooning in remote Norway. Todd chartered a plane, located the official, and secured his enrollment.
Encounter with Bhutan and International Travels
During his studies at Oxford, Todd met future leaders such as the Crown Prince of Fiji and the future Queen of Bhutan, Kesang Choden. Graduating with an LLM in 1949, he received an invitation from the Bhutanese royal family. Todd embarked on an arduous journey with two fellow students, hitchhiking through Europe, the Middle East, and Asia before reaching India. In 1951, they ventured into Bhutan via treacherous mountain trails, becoming one of the few Westerners to visit the country at the time.
Bhutan and the Postal Revolution
Todd's journey to Bhutan ignited a transformative passion. He published an extensive article, "Bhutan, Land of the Thunder Dragon," in National Geographic in 1952, showcasing the Himalayan kingdom to the world. This article sparked international intrigue and played a significant role in Bhutan's subsequent recognition by the United Nations.
Business Ventures and Entrepreneurship
Throughout his life, Todd pursued diverse business endeavors. He helped Fiji establish a rum industry, assisted Singapore in marketing seaweed, and facilitated oil drilling in Brunei. In the late 1950s, he convinced two financially strapped Indian Maharajahs to sell their Rolls-Royce vehicles, which he resold to collectors in the West.
The "Kerr-Hays Company" and International Relations
In 1965, Todd founded the "Kerr-Hays Company," a successful import and manufacturing enterprise that his wife primarily managed. Todd also served as a consultant to the leaders of small Asian and Pacific nations, advising them on attracting American investments. His acquaintances included the Sultan of Brunei, the King of Bhutan, and the Prime Minister of Mauritius.
Legacy of Adventure and Business Acumen
Bert Kerr Todd passed away on April 21, 2006, from lung cancer. His life epitomized adventure, business innovation, and an enduring connection to the world. Through his daring spirit and entrepreneurial vision, Todd left an indelible mark on postal history, international relations, and the world at large.
