deSter expresses its deep respect and gratitude for the life and
legacy of Joost Ruben Ritman, a visionary entrepreneur, cultural advocate, and one of the founding figures behind the international deSter Group.
Joost Ruben Ritman dedicated his life to building meaningful
connections. As a businessman, he helped shape the foundations of what deSter represents today. As a cultural pioneer, he created spaces where ideas, people and traditions could meet and evolve.
Joost joined the family business at an early age and assumed
leadership responsibilities together with his brothers. They transformed Chemische Industrie De Ster into a growing international company. In 1973, Joost played a defining role in establishing the Belgian entity that marked the beginning of the deSter Group as we know it today. Driven by this vision, the company expanded and evolved into a trusted partner for the aviation and food service industries worldwide.
The name deSter and the star symbol have remained central to the
brand ever since. For Joost, the star represented human potential and
connection. This belief continues to resonate in deSter’s purpose of creating sustainable food and travel experiences that bring people together around the world.
Beyond business, Joost Ruben Ritman devoted decades to cultural
and intellectual work. His lifelong passion led to the creation of the
Bibliotheca Philosophica Hermetica, a unique collection that has been included in UNESCO’s Dutch Memory of the World Register. Through the Embassy of the Free Mind, he established a platform that continues to inspire openness, dialogue and free thinking across generations.
Joost’s contributions to society have been widely recognized. He
was appointed Knight of the Order of the Netherlands Lion and received several distinguished honors from academic and cultural institutions.
At deSter, we recognize that our heritage is shaped by the vision
and values of people like Joost. His belief in connection, responsibility and human potential continues to inspire how we design our solutions, collaborate with partners and contribute to the future of our industry.
Joost Ruben Ritman’s legacy lives on through his family, through
his cultural contributions and through the continued evolution of deSter.
We extend our sincere condolences to his family and to all those
who were inspired by his life and work.
“Joost Ruben Ritman was a visionary who believed deeply in the power of connection and human potential. His role in shaping the early foundations of deSter continues to influence who we are today. The values he stood for remain embedded in our purpose and in the way we serve our customers and partners around the world. We are grateful for his legacy and for the inspiration it provides to future generations.”
Stef Van de Perre, President and Managing Director deSter
Media Inquiries:
deSter Communications Team
dester.communications@gategroup.com
About deSter
deSter, a gategroup member, is a leading provider of innovative and sustainable food packaging and serviceware concepts to the aviation, hospitality and foodservice industries. The company combines 75 years of manufacturing expertise with the latest product technology and material developments. deSter has production units in Hoogstraten (BE), Barcelona (ES), Lima (US) and Prachinburi (TH), and global sales offices worldwide. www.dester.com
About gategroup
gategroup is the global leader in airline catering, retail-on-board and hospitality products and services. gategroup provides passengers with superior culinary and retail experiences, leveraging innovation and advanced technology solutions. Headquartered in Zurich, Switzerland, gategroup delivers operational excellence through the most extensive catering network in the aviation industry, serving passengers from over 200 operating units in over 60 countries/territories across all continents. For further information, please visit: www.gategroup.com