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.
source: http://www.14wfie.com/Global/story.asp?S=12643268