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RIP Dave Omel
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Oldbug.com
Pheasant Plucker


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PostPosted: Thu Mar 07, 2013 5:06 pm    Post subject: RIP Dave Omel Reply with quote

I have just heard news of the passing of Dave Omel, local So Cal VW nut and the Dave of "Dave and Eddy's Garage". From what I am hearing it was a car accident last night. Really bummed out about this...one of the nicest guys you would ever want to meet. I didnt see a post anywhere on the site here...if there is...my apologies...but here ya go. Crying or Very sad
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Pheasant Plucker


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PostPosted: Thu Mar 07, 2013 5:11 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

Dave Omel, a native of Long Beach, California retired from The Walt Disney Company after 30 years of service. Dave held many positions throughout the Disney organization but was best known as the Director and General Manager of Disneyland Park. Dave's first car was a 1971 VW beetle, and since then has had many different VW models including his favorites: 1966 Sundial camper, 1966 double cab, and 1966 Deluxe bus. Currently, Dave enjoys driving his 36 horse-powered 1959 Ghia while his 1961 SO23 waits in line to be brought back to life. Aside from Eddy and Dave's Garage, Dave is the Vice President of VisionMaker, a company dedicated to building theme parks and resorts worldwide.
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The Sage
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PostPosted: Thu Mar 07, 2013 5:15 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

I have worked with VisonMaker. Sad news, he was also a big player in IAAPA, the amusement park trade association.
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Oldbug.com
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PostPosted: Thu Mar 07, 2013 5:22 pm    Post subject: More info from the Visionmaker site Reply with quote

David Omel, Vice President, Operations & Administration. Dave has over 35 years of operations and operational support experience in the hospitality and leisure industry. Most recently, he served as Vice President of Operations for Palace Entertainment and worked on Guest Services and training development. Dave is a 30 year veteran of the Walt Disney Company where he led the Guest Services/Special Event Division at the Disneyland Resort. There his team of 3,000 employees were responsible for everything from Guest Relations to Parking operations. He and his team also led the development and planning stages for the 10,000 space Disneyland Resort parking structure. Before leaving the Disneyland Resort, Dave led the planning and operation of Disney’s California Adventure Grand Opening ceremonies and events.

I knew he was a Disney guy but never knew how BIG of a Disney guy he was! Wow!

Shin has posted some great photos of Dave and his travels to Japan on Facebook at http://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.2899281657966.1073741825.1738151932&type=1 ...take a look if you are into the Facebook thing.
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PostPosted: Thu Mar 07, 2013 5:45 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

Holy shit, that sucks.

I don't know if I have ever talked to him before but I have talked and dealt with Eddy lots of times at shows and via email.

Damn.

I was not aware that he was such a large person at Disney either.
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lenny copp
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PostPosted: Thu Mar 07, 2013 6:07 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

So sorry to hear this sad news. condolences to Eddie and his immediate family. : (
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Black Mamba
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PostPosted: Thu Mar 07, 2013 6:22 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

I just heard about the accident from a good friend, Wow! Dave was a super cool guy. He will be missed.

Rico
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Ed Economy
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PostPosted: Thu Mar 07, 2013 6:47 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

I saw this on the local news this morning real close to my house , Thursday morning when a man driving what police said was a black 1959 Volkswagen Karmann Ghia slammed into a parked 1988 Ford Bronco, I hope it was not Dave the details are not good.
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lenny copp
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PostPosted: Thu Mar 07, 2013 7:00 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

Ed Economy wrote:
I saw this on the local news this morning real close to my house , Thursday morning when a man driving what police said was a black 1959 Volkswagen Karmann Ghia slammed into a parked 1988 Ford Bronco, I hope it was not Dave the details are not good.


SAdly it's true..

http://www.presstelegram.com/breakingnews/ci_22737514/man-killed-long-beach-crash-when-car-bursts
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T.Fabs
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PostPosted: Thu Mar 07, 2013 7:08 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

Really sad news! Dave was a great guy with always a smile on his face.
Our sincere condolences to his family and his partner Eddie.
RIP Dave. You will be missed! Sad
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Backn86
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PostPosted: Thu Mar 07, 2013 8:58 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

Such a great guy and a tragic loss. I feel blessed to have known him.

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PostPosted: Thu Mar 07, 2013 10:02 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

So sorry to hear. I was actually going to try and drop by their shop on Wednesday while I was on my business trip but didn't have the time.

Eddy and Dave were a cool team. Great cool guy to chat with at the shows.
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enjoispammy8
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PostPosted: Fri Mar 08, 2013 12:17 am    Post subject: Reply with quote

I've known Dave since childhood- I went to school with his youngest son until 9th grade. Indeed a tragedy.
The latest that I've heard was he crashed driving the Ghia. COD was a heart attack.
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bob1
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PostPosted: Fri Mar 08, 2013 2:00 am    Post subject: Reply with quote

This one hurts, real bad... I don't write a lot here, but now I simply have to... Dave I will miss You buddy.... it will never be the same...

My best memory is my little walk of fame, where it was YOU that put all frames up, I see this multiple times a day and think many times about you when I pass... these thoughts only will become more intense now... it will be your walk of fame forever!

wish I bought your Ghia a couple of weeks ago when it was offered to me, so this couldn't have happened... crazy maybe, but no good feelings...Sad

Me, and everybody here at BBT, will miss You buddy! Forever You will be in our hearts!

my prayers will go to You.

By this way i like to offer my very intense condolences to all friends and especially family of Dave, a real BBT's "Friend of da House".

Will be missed forever, a big loss to SoCal VW scene
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jonny1309
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PostPosted: Fri Mar 08, 2013 6:05 am    Post subject: Reply with quote

Absolutely tragic. My condolences to Eddy and the rest of Dave's family.

Dave, you will be missed.
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PostPosted: Fri Mar 08, 2013 7:36 am    Post subject: Reply with quote

Very sorry to hear this, My prayers go out to your family.
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PostPosted: Fri Mar 08, 2013 8:34 am    Post subject: Reply with quote

This is so sad. Never met him. From the sound of it, I would have liked him.

Thoughts and prayers.
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John
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PostPosted: Fri Mar 08, 2013 1:58 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

Dave was truly one of the good guys! I worked for him at Disneyland back in the late eighties but haven't seen him for years.

He was one of those guys who makes an impression that lasts a lifetime!

Pull it up Skip!

RIP Dave
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icebox
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PostPosted: Fri Mar 08, 2013 2:41 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

Sad news. Dave was a very nice guy.
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JulianH
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PostPosted: Fri Mar 08, 2013 4:51 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

Dave was a rare breed, honest, sincere and could tell one hell of a funny story. Also very humble with his worldwide theme park achievements.

The human race lost a good guy!
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