On this day in history - John Hench passes away

[Jay]

ON THIS DAY IN 2004...

Imagineer, artist and Disney Legend John Hench passes away at the age of 95 in Burbank, California. An employee of the Walt Disney Company for more than 60 years, Hench began as a story artist in 1939. He made his way through the animation department doing everything including backgrounds, layout and art direction, and even effects animation and special effects. Walt Disney respected Hench as one of the studio's most gifted artists and teamed him with Salvador Dalí on the animated short Destino (a project begun in 1945 but completed and released in 2003). Hench won a special effects Oscar for his work in the 1955 film 20,000 Leagues Under the Sea before moving to WED Enterprises to spend the rest of his career helping to design Disney theme parks all over the world.  He was also the official corporate portrait artist for Mickey Mouse.

"Other than Walt Disney himself, no one symbolizes The Walt Disney Company more than John Hench." -Marty Sklar