Ron Toomer dead at age 81

I can't find any other sources, as, obviously this isn't really important to most people - but it's listed on his Wiki now.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ron_Toomer

Gone to the great coat-hanger-factory in the sky. That's a high speed ride all the way, that thing is.

RIP Ron
I'll never forget him and Alan's explanation on how they come up with some incredible elements with that close hanger in hand!
A pioneer of cardboard templates that provided millions with some of the best rides ever created!

Bummer! He will be missed! I am glad I got to might him at Magnum's 10th anniversary. Will be thinking of him while riding this coming weekend.

I'd like a better source. You can edit Wikipedia and claim anyone is dead.

While I agree, it's all we've got. Well, that and CoasterForce. I'm pretty sure it's for real.

Amusement Today is releasing an obituary by 8pm. He is sadly missed by many coaster fans worldwide. My 85 year old grandmother's favortie coaster is still the Loch Ness Monster.

Its now posted.

RIP Ron. I'll be wearing my Arrow hat this Saturday in honor of him to Fright Fest at Great America.

RIP, Ron!

http://amusementtoday.com/

There you have it. Told you I believed it.

Almost posted earlier, but couldn't find a source. Too many credible people in the grapevine were talking for it to be a false rumor.

Yeah, that's what I was thinking. As soon as his bio was updated on his Wiki, I knew it had to be true. Then, I saw it on that other site, and decided to link to the Wiki, anyway.

The first I ever heard of Ron Toomer, I had just returned from my virgin visit to CP in the early 90's, when I first was beginning to realize there were other parks besides GAdv and Dorney and a handful of others. I was watching TV and stumbled across an episode of NOVA on PBS, which opened with a magnificent shot of Magnum ascending the lift hill. An interview with Toomer was included, and he demonstrated how he sometimes conceived of his designs...with a wire hanger bent into seemingly impossible shapes.

Godspeed, Ron Toomer, and thanks for your legacy.

RIP Ron. Your legacy lives on through Magnum XL 200, arguably one of the greatest coasters of all time. You will be missed.

I know SFGAdv's Runaway Train was manufactured by Arrow, but does anyone know if it was actually designed by Toomer?

I may be going down Saturday kind of unexpectedly, and I'd take a ride in Ron's memory. It's probably, save for El Toro and Nitro, the coaster I've rode most in my life.

My first thrill rides were Arrow. I was hooked after my first ride on the Dahlonega Mine Train in 1967.

Now that he's gone, are we suddenly going to have a new-found respect for the very same rides we spent countless hours bashing?

(And when I say 'we' I don't mean me, I'm being condescending. I dig a lot of the Arrow rides. It's a side effect of having the rare Togo tolerance gene. :) )

NO MORE WIRE HANGERS!

I too have the Togo/Arrow tolerance gene. But man did some of his rides suck. But then I remember he gave us Magnum and Desperado and I'm at the least thankful.

I can never forgive those horrible transitions on Vortex at KI, but...I can chose to have a selective memory when I ride Magnum. :)

Those coat hangar hills have some of the most excruciatingly awesome airtime, especially the third to last one.

Mike Gallagher said:

I may be going down Saturday kind of unexpectedly.

That's what she said.