originally posted on 1/6/2023 1:28:00 AM
Photo: Steve Gzesh. View full-sized image.
Our hearts are heavy with the passing of our beloved ACE
member “Zank” Umagat on November 27, 2022. A native of Seattle Washington,
Zank’s love for roller coasters and sideshows began at an early age while visiting
the carnivals, fairs and amusement parks of the Pacific Northwest such as The
Seattle Center Fun Forest, Playland Amusement Park at Bitter Lake, the Puyallup
Fair, Jantzen Beach and the Pacific National Exhibition Coaster in
Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada. The classic wood coasters were his
favorites. After moving to California in the 1970s, his exposure to amusement
park rides grew, and he was excited to find out about ACE and joined in 1987.
As a former ACE regional representative for the Pacific Northwest, Zank hosted
local ACE functions and openings of new amusement park rides and roller coasters
in the area and assisted in developing the Shoreline Historical Museum’s exhibition
of “Finding Playland.”
He was an avid boater and a teacher in the Seattle School
District and was delighted to share his ACE adventures with his students. He
would arrange their classroom desks like a coaster train, and the students
would throw their arms up while watching the on-ride videos.
He is survived by his husband of 40 years, Rand Young, and
his mother, Clara, who is 89 years old. Zank preferred cremation, so a
“Celebration of Life” will be held at a later date. Zank loved ACE, as it gave
him the opportunity to travel and meet people from all different walks of life
and places in the world with one thing in common — fun on coasters!
— Rand Young
Photos: Rand Young Collection. View full-sized image.
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