A conversation with Pat Koch

I work for a small aviation company and had the wonderful pleasure of helping Pat Koch (Holiday World) confirm some upcoming travel plans. I always read numerous stories of how well the Koch Family and Paula treat not only the general public but enthusiasts as well... She was taken aback after I helped her with her travel plans and asked if I could take a moment and express all that I've heard about her and the Holiday World organization... From our short conversation I took away from the call a sweet professional, polite and very humble person. Her voice beamed when speaking on Holiday World and the upcoming Thunderbird Project. Now what she was even more excited about sharing was her outlook on Alabama Adventure and I quote, "we would like to make it the Holiday World of the South but it's going to take a lot of time and work!" She stressed the "time and work" part. Here's hoping with the reopening of Rampage for 2015 that the little park in Bessemer with so much potential has a brighter future on the horizon. I'm definitely looking forward to my first visit during Halloween Weekends but I sure can't wait to ride Thunderbird.

Pat's not with HW anymore, right? I don't pay much attention anymore, but if that's the case, I imagine she was being incredibly cordial, given what I believe happened after Will died.

I was also under the impression that she was no longer associated with Holiday World.

I am the third person to reply in statement that I too was under the impression that she was no longer associated with Holiday World.

I was under the impression that she was no longer in association with Holiday World.

Well,...rdmcreer does confirm she was taken aback...
There was a precarious teetering toward awkwardness there, and I sense our o.p. didn't even know it.

And that's fine- if anyone deserves thanks for what Holiday World became and means to us it would be her and her son Will. And it seems she might've skillfully steered the conversation to Alabama, a place she knows about and has control over. Indeed, if any place is destined to become the Holiday World of the South it's gonna be that place. It's all they've got.

I do a great impression of Carol Channing. "Razzzzzberrrries!"

The kind you find in a second hand store?

nasai said:

Pat's not with HW anymore, right?

kpjb said:

I was also under the impression that she was no longer associated with Holiday World.

Lord Gonchar said:

I am the third person to reply in statement that I too was under the impression that she was no longer associated with Holiday World.

OhioStater said:

I was under the impression that she was no longer in association with Holiday World.

Or Maverick.

Pat, Dan, and the daughter are definitely no longer affiliated with Holiday World. That much I know. Everything else I've heard second hand, but I'd imagine that her beaming about Thunderbird was likely more likely being cordial, and less about gushing over the new ride...

And that's also likely why she was even more excited to talk about Alabama Adventures.

Re: T-bird: Remember, Pat's grandkids are still up in Indiana....

P.S. "The sister" is Natalie.

Tekwardo said:

Pat, Dan, and the daughter are definitely no longer affiliated with Holiday World.

Doesn't Dan still own 40% of Holiday World?

Raven-Phile said:

The kind you find in a second hand store?

You need to leave my beret out of this! :-)

According to the Indianapolis Star, Dan Koch does still own 40% of Holiday World.

Which isn't a controlling stake, so while he might collect a check, I doubt he has much say in what goes on unless he makes good with the part of the family he tried to sue. Obviously the courts agreed, but I think Will's kids and wife rightfully should be running the place.

Bingo.