Austin
06-14-2010, 11:24 AM
This is truly saddening news.
http://www.14wfie.com/Global/story.asp?S=12643268
SANTA CLAUS, IN. (WFIE) - The owner of southern Indiana theme park Holiday World and Splashin'' Safari Will Koch died overnight.
According to a press release issued by the theme park overnight, Koch died at home of what the family believes to be complications from diabetes.
He was 48.
Park spokesperson Paula Werne says, "Will was not only our leader, he was our dear friend. Our park family is in mourning for this sweet man who worked tirelessly to bring fun and happiness to so many families in the 20 years he ran the park."
Werne also says that Holiday World & Splashin' Safari will be open today, and that the park will continue to be owned and operated by the Koch family.
During Koch's tenure as Chief Executive Officer of Koch Development Corporation, the parent company of Holiday World & Splashin' Safari, the park saw dramatic growth.
Starting with the addition of Splashin' Safari in 1993 and continuing with the construction of the Wildebeest this year, the park earned international awards and saw attendance figures topping one million per year.
Koch is survived by his wife, Lori, and three children Lauren, Leah, and William.
He is also survived by his mother, Pat, and siblings Dan, Kristi, Philip and Natalie.
The Koch family is asking that in lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the following locations:
Lincoln Boyhood Drama Association (http://www.lincolnamphitheatre.com/History_Mission.htm)
Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation (https://www.jdrf.org/index.cfm?page_id=100903)
Santa Claus Methodist (http://www.santaclausumc.org/)
Funeral arrangements are pending.
And from Holiday Worlds Facebook:
Holiday World & Splashin' Safari We are heartbroken. Our beloved leader, Will Koch, passed away last night. We believe it was due to his Type 1 diabetes. Please say a prayer for the family and for all of us here at the park. He was so much more than a boss, he was a dear, sweet friend. As we know he would have wanted, the park will be open today and w...e'll all try our best to smile and provide wonderful memories to the families who visit us. And also as Will wanted, the park will remain owned and operated by his family.
http://wfie.images.worldnow.com/images/12643268_BG1.jpg
http://sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc3/hs105.snc3/15307_375017149537_35385539537_3795158_3429252_n.j pg
http://sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-ash1/hs261.ash1/18868_271224964537_35385539537_3380113_6206117_n.j pg
http://www.facebook.com/photo.php?pid=4055058&id=35385539537
He will be missed deeply.
http://www.14wfie.com/Global/story.asp?S=12643268
SANTA CLAUS, IN. (WFIE) - The owner of southern Indiana theme park Holiday World and Splashin'' Safari Will Koch died overnight.
According to a press release issued by the theme park overnight, Koch died at home of what the family believes to be complications from diabetes.
He was 48.
Park spokesperson Paula Werne says, "Will was not only our leader, he was our dear friend. Our park family is in mourning for this sweet man who worked tirelessly to bring fun and happiness to so many families in the 20 years he ran the park."
Werne also says that Holiday World & Splashin' Safari will be open today, and that the park will continue to be owned and operated by the Koch family.
During Koch's tenure as Chief Executive Officer of Koch Development Corporation, the parent company of Holiday World & Splashin' Safari, the park saw dramatic growth.
Starting with the addition of Splashin' Safari in 1993 and continuing with the construction of the Wildebeest this year, the park earned international awards and saw attendance figures topping one million per year.
Koch is survived by his wife, Lori, and three children Lauren, Leah, and William.
He is also survived by his mother, Pat, and siblings Dan, Kristi, Philip and Natalie.
The Koch family is asking that in lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the following locations:
Lincoln Boyhood Drama Association (http://www.lincolnamphitheatre.com/History_Mission.htm)
Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation (https://www.jdrf.org/index.cfm?page_id=100903)
Santa Claus Methodist (http://www.santaclausumc.org/)
Funeral arrangements are pending.
And from Holiday Worlds Facebook:
Holiday World & Splashin' Safari We are heartbroken. Our beloved leader, Will Koch, passed away last night. We believe it was due to his Type 1 diabetes. Please say a prayer for the family and for all of us here at the park. He was so much more than a boss, he was a dear, sweet friend. As we know he would have wanted, the park will be open today and w...e'll all try our best to smile and provide wonderful memories to the families who visit us. And also as Will wanted, the park will remain owned and operated by his family.
http://wfie.images.worldnow.com/images/12643268_BG1.jpg
http://sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc3/hs105.snc3/15307_375017149537_35385539537_3795158_3429252_n.j pg
http://sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-ash1/hs261.ash1/18868_271224964537_35385539537_3380113_6206117_n.j pg
http://www.facebook.com/photo.php?pid=4055058&id=35385539537
He will be missed deeply.