Holiday World (HW) Discussion Thread

[spaceace12]

I got to thinking today at work, Will died working an awesome job that he loved. There isn't many people that can say they love thier job and look forward to doing.

[Mr. Starr]

Uggg...

 

For some reason, I can't open that video.....it just keeps loading.

 

Try going through the WFIE website, it's one of the top stories.

 

A very sad day, and I have always wanted meet Will, as he always seemed so energetic about the park. I'm glad the park is open today, as that is truly what he would have wanted. My thoughts go out to his family and friends.

[comet]

I'm in total shock right now. I can't believe this. My thoughts and prayers go out to the entire family

[Chris Benvenuto]

I found out about it from the Cedar Point-On Point! blog, and I have to say. I'm totally saddened by the loss, I extend my prayers and tears for Holiday World and the Koch family and the entire Holiday World staff.

 

This man was an amusement park legend, and he died doing and building something he loved. He'll never be forgotten, and this is truly a sad day in the Amusement industry.

 

God Bless you Will. We'll miss you, good sir.

 

“The good die young - because they see it's no use living if you've got to be good”

 

John Barrymore

[saginawhxc]

100% agree. When I ride the Timberliners, going to the first row and riding alone.....

 

I like this idea.

[spaceace12]

100% agree. When I ride the Timberliners, going to the first row and riding alone.....

 

I like this idea.

 

I got the idea from racing, when a racer passes, sometimes they do the missing man formation and someone in the front drops out and they leave the spot open. I haven't bought an onride photo in years, but when I do this, I will.

[milst1]

This is indeed tragic. The Kochs were warm hosts when we went to HoliWood Nights in 2008, and others have pointed out that he appeared as vibrant as ever recently, certainly in the YouTube updates on the new Voyage trains and Wildebeest. I'm only 4 years younger myself...

 

I tip my Great Adventure cap and raise my re-fillable cup of soda to the memory of Will Koch.

[ShannonSomerville]

He was a class act. One of the finest people we ever met. Such a tragic loss to the park,and the entire industry.

[beyondthepalace]

A true lost to the Amusement Industry. Though Holiday World is on my list of parks that I must get to, simply reading about how this man operated such a wonderful place is an inspiration. I wish that many other places cared about their product as much as Mr. Koch.

[HEADCHEEZ]

I have never met him, But from what I have heard about him, My heart is breaking. R.I.P. Will Koch!

[Wes]

I got the idea from racing, when a racer passes, sometimes they do the missing man formation and someone in the front drops out and they leave the spot open. I haven't bought an onride photo in years, but when I do this, I will.

 

Not that I don't understand the sentiment, but maybe take the money you'd spend on the photo and donate to a charity instead? I know Will and plenty of the other people at Holiday World were very into giving back (as evidence by their recent auction to help flood victims). There's probably no better way to honor him than to do the same.

[Visioneer]

Wow! Very few things shock me, but this did.

 

He, his family, Holiday World certainly made and makes an impression on me and within this industry. I've never met him, yet I've learned much from him. Truly a loss and very grateful for what he's done ... and will continue to do!

 

I would certainly give him Amusement Industry Legend status. Very few deserve it. He proved it.

 

"Under promise. Over deliver."

[WildStangAlex]

Will was a great man indeed. It is reflected in his park, and it is the most wonderful theme park my family and I have ever been to. Nowhere else in the world do the managers of a theme park make you feel so much a part of their family. Some say he's the closest anyone has come to Walt Disney, and I personally believe he has far surpassed what Disney has done, in being so incredibly involved in his park. We will all miss you Will, may you rest in peace.

[thrillgeek]

With myself having Diabetes as well I know how all the complications can affect a person. RIP Will. You were a great leader.

[Wes]

Hey guys!

 

In lieu of flowers, the family asks for donations to be made to the Lincoln Boyhood Drama Association or the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation.

 

Be a good human being and do this!

 

http://www.lincolnamphitheatre.com/Donate.htm

 

https://www.jdrf.org/index.cfm?page_id=100903

 

 

editz: When you donate to the JDRF, there's a checkbox you can tick where you can fill in "In memory of Will Koch".

Edited June 14, 2010 by Wes

[Jew]

I never got to meet him, but I think this thread speaks volumes about what type of person he was. My thoughts and prayers go out to his family.

 

I also want to second Wes' comment: Everyone should make a donation in his name to those charities he mentioned.

[Roachman]

Sad, sad news... . My thoughts go out for the Koch family.

[PKI Jizzman]

I couldn't belive this when I saw it this morning... so sad to hear.

[DrEmmettBrown88]

I honestly was speechless when I first read this news at work. I had always heard Will was an incredible kind and caring person, not just as a figure in the amusement park industry but as a human being himself. You honestly have to sit and think it's not everyday you see a person of his stature being as thoughtful as he was in his workplace and not just like a lot of other ceo's sitting back saying "numbers, numbers! Money, Money!" and it's so sad to see a life cut short when I'm sure that he had many more exciting plans for the park, his family and even his life. I got the chance to meet Will last month on Wildebeest's opening day and even then whilst busy he still took time to chat and take a picture with me. I know what has happened is another day in the cycle of time and space but sometimes you wish you could change what has happened as Will was an extraordinary man and one of kind. He will be missed. My thoughts and well wishes go out to his family.

 

RIP, Will Koch, you will always be remembered as one of the greats.

[DiSab]

"Suddenly, you were gone, from all the lives you left your mark upon."

 

A sad, sad day in the industry.

[KCForce]

I just woke up from a nap. I still feel like I'm dreaming. I never had the privilege to meet him, but I did meet his Mother, Pat on my first visit to the park last year in June. I know for a fact he was the person he was due to his parents. How? After meeting her, I have no doubt he was exactly like the guy many of us have seen in videos; bright, outgoing, an ethical businessman, and someone who took time for the parks fans. He learned it from her and his late father. Several parks could take a nod from the Koch family and start running parks the way they run their park. It would make them better, stronger and more appreciated, just as Holiday World is. My thoughts go to his wife, children and the rest of his family, especially his Mother. May his memory be a blessing.

[CoasterWarriors]

What a loss and I admire Pat Koch and rest of the Holiday World Family opening Holiday World today since that what Will have wanted anyway. I consider Will Koch a true legend in the Amusement Industry and a true coaster warrior for what he has brought past few decades. I had the privilege to visit Holiday World back in Summer 2007 and see all of his creativity and hard work in action. It's amazing. I'm looking forward to go back very soon.

 

Rest in Peace and many thoughts and prayers from many Coaster Warriors out there that have the honor to meet the one and the only Will Koch and who have been dying to meet him one day but never had the chances like myself but I have lived through the experience by going to Holiday World and be a part of what Will Koch has brought the fun for the people like us.

[ansley]

Wow! I was really...really...REALLY shocked when I read about Will Koch! I saw something online and was thinking it was and old article about his father from years ago..but then I realized it was him! Met him breifly at a couple SRMs, HWN, and at the ACE Con in 2007. He was someone I admired, he ran such a great park with a great employees! The attitudes and warmth of Will, and the entire Koch family is infectious. I always had a great time at Holiday World, and at the special roller coaster events of of which were incredible. His contributions to the wood coaster community are as great as any single person in the last 15 years, I will miss him immensly. It is very hard to believe that someone only two years older than myself, who was so vibrant could have passed away yesterday! Rest in peace Will....

 

Regards,

Ted

[Reality15]

I met Will on my only visit to Holiday World in 2006. I had just finished my first loop around the park, ending with a ride on the Raven. As I was getting off, I noticed Will was leaving the Raven platform so, being the coaster nerd I still am, I had to introduce myself. 2006 being the year Voyage was new, he asked me what I thought and I told him I honestly preferred the Raven because I didn't like my front-row trip on Voyage. He asked me to give it a second shot and try it in the back seat, and proceeded to walk with me back down to the Voyage, explaining a little bit about the park's history and what working in a park is like. I will never forget my ten minutes talking to Will.

 

I'd like to think that because of that chat, I continue to work in a park year after year, and am going to school to someday be just like Will. Though I only met him once, I will honestly miss him and his dedication and enthusiasm to our industry.

 

Hope those Timberliners in heaven are wonderful, Will.

[Y2J2003Y2J]

Like everyone else that has heard this news today, I am also very shocked and saddened. Just one week prior we were all having fun at Holiwood Nights 2010. Its all surreal that this is happening today. I am glad to have met such a nice, caring and generous man that cared about his park and the customers who walked through the gate. He didn't smile unless there were smiles on the faces of everyone of his park guest and that is what he lived for.

 

He will be missed by everyone who has met him and everyone that will learn about him and how he created Holiday World as it is today. I am blessed to have gotten to speak with him at the 3 Holiwood Nights events that I attended including the most recent. My group had stopped Will on Saturday night of the event to talk and get pictures taken. I am now glad that we did that. I also have a video of his speech from Friday night in the Picnic grove.

 

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=K_SEwjPPUTc

 

Rest in Peace Will

I hope heaven has the best roller coasters for you to ride...

 

-Jeff