Theodor von Lerch (August 31, 1869 – December 24, 1945) was a major general in the Austro-Hungarian Army, and a pioneer alpine ski instructor in Japan.

[1][2] He could speak at least seven languages: German, Czech, Magyar, and Italian (used within the Austro-Hungarian Empire), French, English, and Russian, and over the course of his career travelled across Europe and to Turkey, Japan, Korea, China and India.

When Lieutenant Colonel Lerch returned from his Far East assignment, he took up command roles in Tyrolean Kaiserjäger of Mezzolombardo, Infantry Regiment in Scutari.

On September 26, 1910 Lerch traveled to the 13th Division of the Imperial Japanese Army as part of an exchange of officers, and assigned to the 58th Infantry Regiment in Takada.

[10] He then traveled from Japan to Seoul, Mukden and Port Arthur, and then the Republic of China: Manchuria, Beijing, Shanghai, and then to British Hong Kong.