Franz Mack | |
---|---|
Born | |
Died | 3 October 2010 | (aged 89)
Nationality | German |
Spouse | Liesel Mack |
Parents |
|
Relatives | Roland Mack (son) Jürgen Mack (son) Michael Mack (grandson) Thomas Mack (grandson) |
Franz Mack (7 March 1921 – 3 October 2010) was a German entrepreneur. He is the founder of Europa-Park.
Franz Mack was born in 1921 as the fourth son of Heinrich and Theresia Mack[1] in Waldkirch, Weimar Republic. Franz Mack was married to Liesel Mack from 1948 until her death in 2004 and has two sons, Roland and Jürgen.[2] He died in the night of October 3, 2010 in Rust at the age of 89.[3]
After completing his compulsory education (Volksschule), Mack learned the profession of coachbuilding and later qualified as a certified master craftsman.[2] At the age of 16, he started working as a design engineer in his parents' carriage and carousel factory in Waldkirch, Mack Rides, formerly known as Heinrich Mack GmbH & Co. KG.[4] The origins of the factory date back to 1780.[3][5]
His professional career was interrupted by the Second World War. Franz Mack spent several years as a prisoner of war. In August 1947, he and his brother fled from a camp in Alsace, France. After his father had hidden him for a year with a showman in the American Zone in Frankfurt, he returned to Germany. In Frankfurt, he returned to his native town of Waldkirch after the German currency reform in 1948.[4]
In 1958, Mack and his brothers Hermann and Willi took over the carriage and carousel factory from his father.[6][7]
In July 1975, Mack opened Europa-Park with his son Roland. Originally, the purpose of the park was to showcase the products of the carousel factory.[3][8][9] Mack developed several roller coasters, like Eurosat, built in 1989, as well as the high-speed roller coaster from 1997, Euro-Mir.[4][7][10][11]
Mack was a member of the DIN 4112 standards committee, responsible for the construction and operation of amusement rides. He also had a seat on the supervisory board of Volksbank Waldkirch and was involved in various honorary offices.[12]
Mack received the following awards: