Jack Lindquist, who was hired as Walt Disney’s first advertising manager in 1955 and who became the first president of Disneyland, died of natural causes on Feb. 28 in Anaheim at age 88. Among his many achievements, Lindquist was one of the original commissioners of what is now the Visit California Association. He was also inducted into the U.S. Travel Association’s Hall of Leaders in 1989, and received numerous other awards during his career. Lindquist, who retired on Nov. 18, 1993 (Mickey Mouse’s 65th birthday), was a recipient of the ultimate honor for Disney insiders: a window featuring his name on Disneyland’s Main Street. It reads: “J.B. Lindquist, Honorary Mayor of Disneyland.” In retirement. he was revered and often consulted. He lived with his wife Belle in an apartment near Disneyland. From their apartment balcony, they would watch the nightly fireworks at the theme park. Said Marty Sklar, former vice chairman of Walt Disney Imagineering, “The title of Jack’s memoir really says it all about his professional career: ‘In Service to the Mouse.’ That’s who he was and what he did.”
Georgiana Clark, owner and co-founder of Roaring Camp and Big Trees Narrow Gauge Railroad in Felton, California, in the heart of the Santa Cruz Mountains, passed away last week following a long bout with lung cancer. Georgie, as she was known, along with her late husband Norman Clark, started Roaring Camp more than a half century ago with a dream and only $25 dollars. Norman Clark, who passed away in 1985, and Walt Disney were friends were fellow train buffs and friends. It was while Norman was attending a conference for train buffs in Hawaii, he first met Georgie, who was a native Hawaiian—descended from Hawaiian Royalty. Norman and Georgie were a fixture in their booth at IPW for many years and were successful selling their attraction to tour bus operators as a lunch stop feature half way between San Francisco and Monterey. After her husband’s death, Georgie Clark ran the business while raising their three daughters: Chemene, Melani and Kapiolani. Their daughter Melani, who grew up at Roaring Camp, was elected CEO several years ago. Meanwhile, Kapiolani works in guest services at Disneyland.
