Wasn't sure where to post this...

[TPG]

Sorry I'm a newbie!

I know this is mainly a Disney focused board, but I wanted to pass on this information about a leader in the theme park industry. Will Koch was the President of Holiday World in Santa Claus, Indiana. He passed away last night. I personally have not had the pleasure of meeting him, but from what I have heard and seen, he has been a great influence in the theme park and attractions industry, putting Holiday World on the map with their award winning thrill rides and water park. My prayers and thoughts go out to the Koch family. Maybe Will and Walt are trading theme park secrets and strategies, and sharing their love for the theme park and attractions industry.

Rest in Peace Will, and thank you for what you done in this industry.

SANTA CLAUS, Ind. (WDRB TV Fox 41) -- He was a familiar sight to Louisville TV viewers. Will Koch was the face of Holiday World's commercials. But at just 48 years old, Koch, the president of Holiday World and Splashin' Safari, has died.

Koch was found dead last night at his home in Santa Claus, Ind. His family believes complications from diabetes led to his death.

"It's sad, but this is where he would want me to be," says Pat Koch, Will Koch's mother.

Despite Will Koch's untimely death, she was out greeting customers as they entered the park early Monday -- and they were offering her support.

"I want everybody to remember what a great guy he was, how funny he was, how brilliant he was, how visionary he was, how good he was," added Pat Koch.

The park will remain open but flags are flying at half-staff.

"Somebody said that St. Peter met Will at the gate with a fast pass, so he could go to the front of the line," said public relations director Paula Werne. "That really touched me. It made me cry. It made me laugh."

Koch had been diagnosed with Type 1 Diabetes when he was in college and he used an insulin pump.

"The rest of his family had gone to a show Sunday night in Louisville," explains Werne. "But he had some work to do so he stayed behind. His wife spoke to him by phone around 8:30 p.m., and when they got home a couple of hours later he was gone."

Under Koch's leadership for 20 years, the park followed an aggressive growth strategy, including the addition of the water park in 1993.

A Notre Dame graduate, he had a degree in engineering and helped to design some of the rides in the park he loved so much. He was the third generation of Koch's to operate the park. His survivors promise the park will continue with the Koch family in control.

"We have another son who is chairman of the board. Will was president," explains Pat Koch. "We'll be having meetings about what roles to play. Will already had the 2011 budget prepared, so our planning has been done. So we are fine, and we will continue to be the Koch park."

In addition to his mother and four siblings, Koch is survived by his wife and three childre

 

[disneyfans95]

Already been posted and talked about.

http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=2487884

 

[monkeyboy]

Already been posted and talked about.

http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=2487884

Thanks for update!

 

[NikitaZee]

Thanks for the info ... and

 

[TPG]

Already been posted and talked about.

whoops! Sorry! I'm still a newbie! hehe Thanks for the welcome!