Franz Mack
Franz Mack statue in Europa-Park
Born(1921-03-07)March 7, 1921
Waldkirch, Baden-Württemberg, Germany
Died3 October 2010(2010-10-03) (aged 89)
Rust, Baden-Württemberg, Germany
NationalityGerman
SpouseLiesel Mack
Parents
  • Heinrich Mack (father)
  • Theresia Mack (mother)
RelativesRoland 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.

Personal life

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]

Career

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]

Europa-Park

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]

Memberships and Awards

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:

References

  1. ↑ Ruf, Jürgen (2006-03-07). "Ein Fan der Achterbahnen. Franz Mack, Seniorchef des Karussellbaubetriebs 'Mack Rides', wird heute 85 Jahre alt." Badische Zeitung (in German). Retrieved 2023-04-24.
  2. 1 2 Bayer, Lukas (2010-12-03). "Wer war Franz Mack?" Badische Zeitung (in German). Retrieved 2023-04-24.
  3. 1 2 3 "Europapark-Gründer: Franz Mack gestorben". Stuttgarter Zeitung (in German). 2010-10-04. Retrieved 2023-04-24.
  4. 1 2 3 Schenk, Peter (2010-10-09). "Karussellfachmann und gefeierter Unternehmer. Franz Mack, mit 89 Jahren verstorbener Gründer des Europaparks, baute noch im hohen Alter Achterbahnen." Basler Zeitung (in German). Retrieved 2023-04-24.
  5. ↑ Klein, Heribert (2001-03-06). "Frank Mack 80 Jahre". Frankfurter Allgemeine Zeitung (in German). Retrieved 2023-04-25.
  6. ↑ Santo, Daniela (2018-06-15). "Europa-Park-Chef Jürgen Mack feierte seinen 60. Geburtstag: "Mir ist es wichtig, die Atmosphäre zu spüren"". Stadtanzeiger Ortenau (in German). Retrieved 2023-04-24.
  7. 1 2 Preuß, Susanne (2010-10-05). "Franz Mack". Frankfurter Allgemeine Zeitung (in German). Retrieved 2023-04-25.
  8. ↑ Fischer, Klaus (2021-03-05). "Bescheiden, streitbar, verlässlich und vielfach talentiert." Badische Zeitung (in German). Retrieved 2023-04-24.
  9. ↑ Kniebetsch, Kerstin (2002-08-22). "Vergnügen für mehr als einen Tag". Süddeutsche Zeitung (in German). Retrieved 2023-04-25.
  10. ↑ "Freizeitspaß im Europa-Park" (2021-07-23). Westdeutsche Zeitung (in German). Retrieved 2023-04-24.
  11. ↑ Dickmann, Barbara (2009-11-16). "Über das Leben eines Promis". Südkurier (in German). Retrieved 2023-04-25.
  12. 1 2 3 Reck, Reinhard (2001-03-06). "Ortenau Spaß für Millionen. Vater des Europaparks wird 80 Nachrichten der Ortenau". Offenburger Tageblatt (in German). Retrieved 2023-04-24.
  13. 1 2 Fackler, Bernd (2010-10-09). "Gott hatte Franz Mack mit vielen Talenten ausgestattet". Badische Zeitung (in German). Retrieved 2023-04-24.
  14. ↑ Fischer, Klaus (2010-10-05). "Der bodenständige Visionär - Franz Mack, Unternehmer und Gründer des Europa-Parks, starb am Sonntag im Alter von 89 Jahren." Badische Zeitung (in German). Retrieved 2023-04-24.
  15. ↑ "Europa-Park-Gründer Franz Mack ist tot". Badische Zeitung (in German). 2010-10-04. Retrieved 2023-04-24.
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