Damir Bogdanic, a well-known international tour operator and travel industry executive for over 40 years, passed away on November 5 in Austin, TX following a short battle with cancer. He was 61.
For the last 10 years, Bogdanic was owner and operator of Sterling Vacations, an online cruise/tour wholesaler. Previously, he and his wife, Rose, owned and operated Pace Travel, Inc. of Austin for 27 years.
Damir Bogdanic spent his life in the tour and cruise business. His studies began at the University of Zagreb and include degrees in marketing and tourism from Centre International de Glion, Switzerland. Fluent in seven languages, he spent his life in tourism first in his native Croatia, then for 16 years in Switzerland, before taking a position with a prominent U.S. company and moving to America in 1984.
Bogdanic proudly became a U.S. citizen in 1991 but never forgot his roots or lost his accent. Rose Pace-Bogdanic will continue to manage the operations of Sterling Vacations.
He is survived by his loving wife, Rose Pace-Bogdanic, his daughter in Zurich, Switzerland, Annina Walser, his mother in Pula, Croatia, Ana Bogdanic, his two step-sons, Jeffrey and Jimmy Pace, five grandchildren and many friends and colleagues around the world.
A memorial service to celebrate his uniqueness, will be held on Friday, November 12 at 11:00 AM at Harrell Funeral Home, 4435 Frontier Trail,
Austin, TX 78745. In lieu of flowers, the family suggests a donation to the American Cancer Society.