Will Koch dies at age 48

I know it's not CP related, but the amusement industry lost one of its best people yesterday:

http://coasterbuzz.com/news/11809/holiday-worlds-will-koch-dies-at-...of-48.aspx

Will was the best example of everything that a leader in this business should be, and one of the nicest guys you'd ever meet. He will be missed.

I saw this story eary today, and I am still in shock.

My heart goes out to his family and friends. I don't know why things like this always happen to the good guys.

I met him a few times at various coaster events at holiday world, and he always took the time to talk with you. He even sat with us and had dinner. He was a world class person, and will be missed.

By the way, here is a video I found with wills mom (Pat Koch), taken this morning.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MuDgYU2wJyU

I can't believe she is at work today.....very strong woman indeed.

Yes, a very strong woman with a great outlook on life. With the family values and outlook on life that Pat Koch and family have, it is no wonder that Will was the kind of person he was and Holiday World is the great place that it is.

Over in their OnPoint blog, Tony and Tyler have expressed their sympathies.

That was nice of them to do that.

"...the amusement industry lost one of its best people yesterday"

Not one of the best. The best. My old boss worked closely with Mr. Koch on some local business issues in southern Indiana and often he would show up at the company headquarters. Really really nice guy.

He will be missed more than you could imagine. At least we know Holiday World will continue to be run by his family and continue to grow instead of being run into the ground by some unknown board.

I am still in shock. Sad, sad day.. :(

All I can say is Wow! I cannot believe this? I'm in shock over this because Will Koch looked as if he was thirty something years old. My thoughts and prayers go out to him and his family.

I was shocked to see the Twitter message on my phone this morning. Very sad day.

This definitely came as shocking news. Very very sad. I never really met Will outside of waving at him in the park a time or two, but from everything I've heard he was a genuinely great person. I feel for his family and the employees at the park who have lost such a wonderful person way too early.

Wow...

Now they are reporting that he drowned in his pool.

http://www.whas11.com/home/Holiday-World-owner-drowned-diabetes-still-investigated-96415099.html

I am still depresed about this today. I can't stop thinking about what his kids and family are going thru right now.

Wow...that is so sad.

Some times this universe can be unbelievably cruel. This is one of those times. :(

This story keeps getting sadder. :(