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Paul Ruben www.parkworld-online.com


micro miniaturisation lens that led to the development of tiny computer chips. He was an emeritus member of the Optical Society of America. Paul simultaneously launched a second career as a writer/editor in the amusement industry. Since he began visiting parks at age 5, he had visited nearly 400 parks worldwide and travelled an estimated 10,000 miles on more than 910 different roller coasters. He was a frequent speaker to civic groups and a guest on TV programmess discussing roller coasters. He served as associate editor of Amusement Park Journal for nine years, editor of RollerCoaster! for four years, and since 1989 was North American editor of Park World. He was a member of the American Coaster Enthusiasts.


Dantes Dungeon The IAAPA


team looked forward to seeing him on the trade show floor each year and hearing about his travels to member parks, and commentary about his favourite coasters – and how he always said his Top 10 list really consisted of 25.


As a young man growing up in Niagara Falls, NY, Paul spent summers selling ice cream, then as a tour guide around the Falls. He was a skilled water skier, usually on the upper Niagara River. Paul was also an accomplished bassoonist, playing with both the University of Rochester and the Niagara Falls Symphony Orchestras. An avid tennis player, he played winters at the Rochester Tennis Club and summers in the Penfield Sunday morning tennis league. He was also a founding member and past president of the Penfield Rangers Soccer Club.


Doing what he loved Throughout Paul’s childhood a visit to an amusement park always took precedent over other leisure activities. As an adult in the 70s he was horrified to see some of his favourite childhood amusement parks being bulldozed to make room for new construction, so he would visit the parks and take pictures of the roller coasters, just so he had something to remember them by. At the time, Paul was an optical engineer; but after his


local PennySaver let him write an article about one of the coasters had photographed, he had found his passion. Paul realised that he could be paid for writing travel stories, something he loved. Eventually, he became an editor and writer who focused solely on amusement parks and turned my hobby into a career.


Speaking as news of his passing was announced, Park


World media director, Paul Ryder said: “We are all very sad to hear the news that Paul Ruben has passed away and our thoughts are with his family and friends. “I had the pleasure of working with Paul for many years and will very much miss his second to none sense of humour and storytelling.


“His enthusiasm for the Theme Park industry and in particular Rollercoasters seemed to meet no boundaries. This fantastic industry that we work in has truly lost one of its greats.”


Making memories


Richard Munch, a founder of the American Coaster Enthusiasts, and a National Roller Coaster Museum & Archives historian, said: “Whether it was at an IAAPA or ACE event, or a new roller coaster opening, I would find Paul both documenting and reporting what we were all experiencing, which was usually something very special. Looking back at it all, I came to realise that I probably knew Paul longer than most in the industry, mainly because of his work with the American Coaster Enthusiasts (ACE). The club originated in 1978 and when publication deadlines began to slip, Paul came to the rescue in


24


Riding mountain coasters in Pigeon Forge


1986, as editor of the club’s magazine Rollercoaster. He was organised and diligent, always pressing to have the publications released per a real schedule. He wrote many of the articles during that time, covering topics that are still relevant today. He eventually caught the eye of Park World and moved on. The rest of course, is history. “While he was a good researcher, many times he would look to me for coaster information. I would share my knowledge with him, but as he started to travel more, his understanding of the industry broadened and his contacts across North America (and eventually the world) were unlike anyone else I knew. In addition, now working for an international publication, it allowed him to travel extensively across the globe, visiting many of the very places most of us could only dream about. Meanwhile his experiences would eventually end up in one of his countless articles or his entertaining column, Park Hoppin’. “On a personal note, I’m truly saddened that he will not be able to visit the new Roller Coaster Museum when it opens. No doubt he would have enjoyed the experience and probably acted like the little kid in the proverbial candy store. But at the same time, I always thought he would be riding coasters well into his 90s, even jumping on New York’s Sea Breeze Park’s Jack Rabbit for his 100th Birthday. He had that kind of perseverance and passion that made you think he would. “Paul was larger than life. It seemed whatever he was doing he always did it with a smile. That, with his dedication and energy, will never be replaced. His amazing spirit and passion for the industry will truly be missed.” Owen Ralph worked hand in hand with Paul as editor


of Park World for over 15 years. “His writing was always a pleasure to read, with little editing required,” said Owen. “Even after moving on from the publication, I’d still find myself consulting him for theme park facts and figures. And I knew he’d always have the answer. His knowledge of rides and rollercoasters particularly was immense. “Paul very much believed in experiencing his subject.


Park Hoppin’ was a way of life. Age didn’t seem to stop him travelling or riding, always adding to his coaster count. He was a big kid at heart. Even down to his tantrums. This was something I learned at our first IAAPA Expo together in 2001. Our annual rendezvous in Orlando, with park visits before the show, was always a joy. And every year


SUMMER PART 3 2021


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