originally posted on 3/25/2024
Photo: David Hahner III. View full-sized image.
Dave Hahner, who currently serves as ACE’s historian, was recognized as the newest honorary member of the organization by ACE President Elizabeth Ringas on Saturday, March 2. The plaque was presented during Hahner’s home region event, CoasterBash! XXXV. Honorary membership in ACE is a distinction reserved for volunteers who demonstrate an incredible level of dedication and responsibility in their service to the organization’s mission over a significant period of time. Individuals can be nominated by any member of ACE to be awarded by a majority vote of the Executive Committee.
Having joined ACE in 1980, Hahner quickly got involved, helping to organize some of the organization’s earliest regional events. He went on to serve as ACE Western Pennsylvania’s event registration coordinator for more than 20 years and became a member of the regional representative team. He spent 15 years on ACE’s Membership Committee, during which time he replied to countless inquiries about ACE and mailed brochures and membership applications to thousands of people, helping ACE to grow. He has also served as a member of ACE’s Archives Committee and Preservation Committee.
In his current role, Hahner serves as a resource to all of ACE, including social media, publications, YouTube, public relations and both the History and Preservation Committees for historical information regarding roller coasters.
Hahner’s encyclopedic knowledge of coaster history, along with his diligence and thoroughness, have benefited the organization, as he has been responsible for writing the text for 28 ACE Roller Coaster Landmark plaques — more than half of those awarded to date. Hahner has also documented the history of amusement parks by co-authoring three books. He works tirelessly to promote the industry and its history, helping to accomplish such projects as securing a Pennsylvania State Historical marker to identify Idlewild as the oldest amusement park in Pennsylvania and the third oldest in the country.
ACE owes Dave Hahner an immense debt of gratitude for the difference he has made both personally and as an ACE volunteer to ensure the history of roller coasters is available to those seeking to learn about and appreciate it.
— Bill Linkenheimer III, ACE Western Pennsylvania Regional Representative, and Elizabeth Ringas, ACE President
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