sad news - John Hench passes... - Beyond Tiki

T Tangaroa Tiki Socialite Joined: Apr 25, 2002 Posts: 1566	T Tangaroa Posted posted on Thu, Feb 5, 2004 1:03 PM John Hench - Disney Imagineer and designer of much of the 1967 Tomorrowland passed away last night. This memo was sent out by Marty Sklar of WDI today: Walt Disney Imagineering Memorandum To: All Imagineers Date: February 5, 2004 From: Marty Sklar Subject: The Passing of John Hench I regret to inform you that our friend and mentor, the true Imagineer, John Hench passed away of heart failure during the night. He is survived by his wife, Lowry. A memorial celebration of John’s life and accomplishments is being planned and will be held in a few weeks. A private family service will also be held; in lieu of flowers John’s family requests that contributions be made to Providence St. Joseph’s Foundation (Cardiology Department). John was an original, not just a Disney original, but an original, period. In May, he would have celebrated his unprecedented 65th year in The Walt Disney Company, during which time his achievements are perhaps exceeded only by those of Walt Disney himself. (On Saturday night at the Alex Theater in Glendale I have the honor to accept, for John, The Winsor McCay Award from the International Animated Film Society, “in recognition of a lifetime career contributions to the art of animation.”) In a statement for release to the media, Michael Eisner said: “John Hench taught me and so many others about the essence of the Disney legacy. He was at Walt’s side during the creation of so much classic entertainment and continued to be a vital creative force for our company right up until the end. John will be greatly missed by all of us who were privileged to work with him and by everyone who cherishes Disney family entertainment. For years he held the torch high and now he has passed it on.” We will all sorely miss the advice, critiques, design and philosophy about the Disney parks and resorts, and about life and learning, John conveyed to everyone he touched. Fortunately, he left us a treasure of “how to” examples, embodied especially in his book, Designing Disney – Imagineering and the Art of the Show, published last fall. And of course, he left us an archive full of sketches and paintings and ideas. One of the last true Walt Disney icons has left us. How fortunate we are as Imagineers, and as human beings, that John Hench touched our professional and personal lives. Marty

John Hench - Disney Imagineer and designer of much of the 1967 Tomorrowland passed away last night. This memo was sent out by Marty Sklar of WDI today:
Walt Disney Imagineering Memorandum

To: All Imagineers Date: February 5, 2004

From: Marty Sklar

Subject: The Passing of John Hench

I regret to inform you that our friend and mentor, the true Imagineer, John Hench passed away of heart failure during the night. He is survived by his wife, Lowry.

A memorial celebration of John’s life and accomplishments is being planned and will be held in a few weeks. A private family service will also be held; in lieu of flowers John’s family requests that contributions be made to Providence St. Joseph’s Foundation (Cardiology Department).

John was an original, not just a Disney original, but an original, period. In May, he would have celebrated his unprecedented 65th year in The Walt Disney Company, during which time his achievements are perhaps exceeded only by those of Walt Disney himself. (On Saturday night at the Alex Theater in Glendale I have the honor to accept, for John, The Winsor McCay Award from the International Animated Film Society, “in recognition of a lifetime career contributions to the art of animation.”)

In a statement for release to the media, Michael Eisner said: “John Hench taught me and so many others about the essence of the Disney legacy. He was at Walt’s side during the creation of so much classic entertainment and continued to be a vital creative force for our company right up until the end. John will be greatly missed by all of us who were privileged to work with him and by everyone who cherishes Disney family entertainment. For years he held the torch high and now he has passed it on.”

We will all sorely miss the advice, critiques, design and philosophy about the Disney parks and resorts, and about life and learning, John conveyed to everyone he touched. Fortunately, he left us a treasure of “how to” examples, embodied especially in his book, Designing Disney – Imagineering and the Art of the Show, published last fall. And of course, he left us an archive full of sketches and paintings and ideas.

One of the last true Walt Disney icons has left us. How fortunate we are as Imagineers, and as human beings, that John Hench touched our professional and personal lives.

Marty

Post #74657 by Tangaroa on Thu, Feb 5, 2004 1:03 PM