John Rote was born in the Netherlands but became a US citizen in September 1956, shortly before the Melbourne Olympics. He graduated from Oxford (England) in 1949, attending Wadham College, and later became a business executive. Rote played hockey for Stade Lausanne, helping them win Swiss titles in 1945-46. In the Netherlands Rote was an executive committee member of the Royal Netherlands Hockey Association. In the United States he was an executive committee member and played for the Westchester Field Hockey Club, known as The Privateers. In the United States Rote settled in Greenwich, Connecticut where he became friendly with Senator Prescott Bush, father and grandfather of future US Presidents George H. W. and George W. Bush. Prescott Bush honorary chairman of The Privateers for several years and often presented the Connecticut Cup to the winning team in their matches.
United States