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Don Iwerks, nan erstwhile Disney executive who innovated respective cinematic advancements during his career, has died. He was 96.
The Iwerks Entertainment co-founder died peacefully connected Thursday astatine Ojai Community Memorial Care Center, “surrounded by nan emotion of family and friends,” according to an obituary shared by his family.
“Those who knew Don retrieve not only his bonzer accomplishments, but nan quiet grace pinch which he achieved them,” nan family said of Iwerks. “Like his father, he delighted successful solving problems, sharing knowledge, and celebrating nan successes of others. Humble, endlessly curious, and unfailingly optimistic, he believed each situation held nan anticipation of a solution.”
They added, “Up to nan extremity he was sketching caller inventions, cheering connected nan Los Angeles Dodgers, and watching classical films. Mary Poppins remained particularly adjacent to his heart—a movie whose optimism and enduring connection that thing was imaginable perfectly reflected nan measurement Don lived his life. … To nan world, Don was an engineer, inventor, and Disney Legend. To those fortunate capable to cognize him, he was a devoted hubby and father, a trusted mentor, a patient friend, and an eternal optimist.”
Born July 24, 1929 successful Dallas, Texas, Iwerks grew up successful Southern California, wherever his father, animator Ub Iwerks, became Walt Disney’s business parter, co-creating Mickey Mouse and Oswald nan Lucky Rabbit.
In 1950, Don followed successful his father’s footsteps erstwhile he began moving astatine Walt Disney Studios’ Process Lab, soon earlier he served for much than a twelvemonth successful Germany arsenic a U.S. Army Signal Corps photographer during nan Korean War.
Don returned to Disney successful 1952, moving alongside his begetter successful nan Studio Machine Shop to thief create cameras, optical printers and typical effects systems for Disney films and taxable parks, including nan original Circle-Vision camera system, refinements to nan sodium walking matte process utilized successful Mary Poppins (1964), and galore projection technologies for Disney attractions astir nan world.
After 24 years, Don and chap Disney exec Stan Kinsey co-founded Iwerks Entertainment successful 1986, which became a world pioneer successful giant-screen theaters, mobility simulators and immersive 3D experiences worldwide.
In 1998, Don was awarded nan Gordon E. Sawyer Award astatine nan Oscars for his method contributions to nan mobility image industry. He and his begetter Ub were besides honored pinch a dedicated Main Street, U.S.A. model successful Magic Kingdom astatine Walt Disney World Resort.
Don is survived by survived by woman Betty; boy Larry; boy John and woman Chris; documentarian girl Leslie and great-nephew Mike, some of whom went connected to activity astatine The Walt Disney Company. Don was preceded successful decease by his girl Tamara, “whom he loved profoundly and carried successful his bosom always.”
In lieu of flowers, nan family asks that donations beryllium made to nan Community Memorial Continuing Care Center of Ojai and The Walt Disney Family Museum.
