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Tribute to Steve Kordek
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Larry DeMar
Jan 7, 2012, 6:48:25 PM1/7/12
to
Pinball friends: 12/26/11 was Steve Kordek's 100th birthday. I spoke
to Steve and he sounded great. We are going to get our old Williams
gang together with Steve for a celebration in January. I would like
the pinball community on RGP to post their thoughts, memories and/or
messages for Steve. I will get them bound in an attractive booklet
(ahem.....hint to my artist friends) and present on behalf of the
pinball Internet community. Please think of a memory or tribute to
Steve and post it here right away. Thank you. -Larry DeMar
to Steve and he sounded great. We are going to get our old Williams
gang together with Steve for a celebration in January. I would like
the pinball community on RGP to post their thoughts, memories and/or
messages for Steve. I will get them bound in an attractive booklet
(ahem.....hint to my artist friends) and present on behalf of the
pinball Internet community. Please think of a memory or tribute to
Steve and post it here right away. Thank you. -Larry DeMar
Rob R
Jan 7, 2012, 7:10:00 PM1/7/12
to
Larry DeMar <larr...@gmail.com> wrote in news:720e09b7-0e5a-425d-a11b-
c7a95f...@k8g2000yqk.googlegroups.com:
Thank you Larry for taking this on. It is a great tribute for a legend. I
still have great memories of chatting with Steve at numerous Pinball
Expo's.
Rob
c7a95f...@k8g2000yqk.googlegroups.com:
still have great memories of chatting with Steve at numerous Pinball
Expo's.
Rob
D-Rowe
Jan 7, 2012, 7:25:39 PM1/7/12
to
On Jan 7, 7:10 pm, Rob R <rrosenho...@gmail.com> wrote:
> Larry DeMar <larry....@gmail.com> wrote in news:720e09b7-0e5a-425d-a11b-
> c7a95f259...@k8g2000yqk.googlegroups.com:
What Marconi was to the radio, what Jacquard was to the computer, what
Edison was to the lightbulb, Steve Kordek is to pinball. A hundred
million thanks on your hundredth birthday sir. Thank you for all that
you have done and all the smiles that you have given.
> Larry DeMar <larry....@gmail.com> wrote in news:720e09b7-0e5a-425d-a11b-
> c7a95f259...@k8g2000yqk.googlegroups.com:
Edison was to the lightbulb, Steve Kordek is to pinball. A hundred
million thanks on your hundredth birthday sir. Thank you for all that
you have done and all the smiles that you have given.
Lloyd Olson
Jan 7, 2012, 7:26:10 PM1/7/12
to
"Larry DeMar" <larr...@gmail.com> wrote in message
news:720e09b7-0e5a-425d...@k8g2000yqk.googlegroups.com...
early 2006 for a party at my business.
Having your help make the event special meant a lot to a lot of people.
Your contributions to pinball span many years. And every thing you did
brings up even more memories of things you did.
No one has ever touched so many in pinball as you have.
If ever an industry owed someone a debt of gratitude it is you Steve.
Pinball wouldn't have been the same without you.
Thank you !
LTG :)
pingeek
Jan 7, 2012, 8:07:56 PM1/7/12
to
Thanks for all the many games you have designed, which continue to be
enjoyed at shows all over the place.
Pingeek
http://www.pingeek.com
greatw...@hotmail.com
Jan 7, 2012, 8:52:08 PM1/7/12
to
half that way yet going on 48.
EM PINMAN
Jan 7, 2012, 9:21:24 PM1/7/12
to
Thanks so much for all the pinball fun you have given to all of us
over the decades.
I have very found memories of playing Space Mission as a kid and now
own a Space Odyssey and love it even more!
I only have 3 games total all EM's, but will have another Williams EM
game in the near future.
Happy 100th and many more.
Ken.
Hogey
Jan 7, 2012, 11:09:53 PM1/7/12
to
autographs over the years (I have about 5 of them) and pictures that
you've allowed me to take (with me in the pic too of course).
Tremendous list of games you've designed over the years. Thank you,
thank you, thank you...I love pinball and I love Steve Kordek.
Hogey
Mrhide
Jan 8, 2012, 8:42:58 AM1/8/12
to
Very nice of you Larry!! thank you!
on Steve, on top of being "mr pinball", he was also "mr puck bowler!"
I've had him sign a Strikemaster translite and I sold the game but
kept the signed translite.
I remember him from all the expos as very generous and easy to
approach!
also, who could forget that picture of him at the end of the line of
p2k Star Wars?! stunning.
Best regards
Philippe
on Steve, on top of being "mr pinball", he was also "mr puck bowler!"
I've had him sign a Strikemaster translite and I sold the game but
kept the signed translite.
I remember him from all the expos as very generous and easy to
approach!
also, who could forget that picture of him at the end of the line of
p2k Star Wars?! stunning.
Best regards
Philippe
djcharlie17
Jan 8, 2012, 9:30:37 AM1/8/12
to
Henry Ford didn't invent the automobile... he just made everyone want
to drive.
Steve Kordek didn't invent pinball... he just made us all want to
play!
Happy 100th Steve!
Charlie
http://www.spookypinball.com
to drive.
Steve Kordek didn't invent pinball... he just made us all want to
play!
Happy 100th Steve!
Charlie
http://www.spookypinball.com
TheKorn
Jan 8, 2012, 12:35:30 PM1/8/12
to
Larry DeMar <larr...@gmail.com> wrote in news:720e09b7-0e5a-425d-a11b-c7a95f259606
@k8g2000yqk.googlegroups.com:
Steve, you've brought joy and happiness to so many, far more than you could
ever possibly know. You say that you were just an average guy in a factory,
but sometimes all it takes is to have the right guy in the right place at
the right time. You were fortunate enough to be that guy, and the world is
forever a bit brighter because of it.
--
Have a home video that's trapped on your camera? Want to share it on the web or on
DVD?
http://www.webwidevideo.com/
@k8g2000yqk.googlegroups.com:
ever possibly know. You say that you were just an average guy in a factory,
but sometimes all it takes is to have the right guy in the right place at
the right time. You were fortunate enough to be that guy, and the world is
forever a bit brighter because of it.
--
Have a home video that's trapped on your camera? Want to share it on the web or on
DVD?
http://www.webwidevideo.com/
Glen Peters
Jan 8, 2012, 3:06:16 PM1/8/12
to
Hi Steve,
One thing that stands out head and shoulders above the
rest in this hobby, was getting the chance to meet you. It isn't very
often in life that you get a chance to meet one of your heroes. I
guess that wide-eyed little boy who wandered into a small cafe in 1964
and starting watching some older boys playing Heat Wave, has never
really gotten over it.
Now he owns that game and many others like it. Games like Space Ship,
Big Daddy, 4 Roses, Teachers Pet, just to name a few. And thinks these
games that you designed, are as great as any games that ever WERE
designed. I have never had any problem bringing you a few "laurel
leaves" and I certainly don't have any problem with it now.
I want to thank you... and fate maybe, for being that young man who,
while seeking shelter from the rain... was to impact and change the
face of pinball history... forever.
Glen Peters
One thing that stands out head and shoulders above the
rest in this hobby, was getting the chance to meet you. It isn't very
often in life that you get a chance to meet one of your heroes. I
guess that wide-eyed little boy who wandered into a small cafe in 1964
and starting watching some older boys playing Heat Wave, has never
really gotten over it.
Now he owns that game and many others like it. Games like Space Ship,
Big Daddy, 4 Roses, Teachers Pet, just to name a few. And thinks these
games that you designed, are as great as any games that ever WERE
designed. I have never had any problem bringing you a few "laurel
leaves" and I certainly don't have any problem with it now.
I want to thank you... and fate maybe, for being that young man who,
while seeking shelter from the rain... was to impact and change the
face of pinball history... forever.
Glen Peters
Ken In Texas
Jan 8, 2012, 3:33:28 PM1/8/12
to
One of my fondest memories is my great grandpa taking me out to eat at a
local spot that had a Space Odyssey. He would give me the money to play
and it is one of the games that began my love affair with pinball.
Thank you sir for all the wonderful games that brought simple joy and an
escape from the everyday world for so many. Seeing a child stare
through the glass into a world you created makes me smile every time.
--
Ken In Texas
http://www.pinballrebel.com
Custom Pinball Cards, Jukeboxes, Drive In's
"Never ask a man if he's from Texas.
If he is, he'll tell you on his own.
If he ain't, no need to embarrass him."
local spot that had a Space Odyssey. He would give me the money to play
and it is one of the games that began my love affair with pinball.
Thank you sir for all the wonderful games that brought simple joy and an
escape from the everyday world for so many. Seeing a child stare
through the glass into a world you created makes me smile every time.
Ken In Texas
http://www.pinballrebel.com
Custom Pinball Cards, Jukeboxes, Drive In's
"Never ask a man if he's from Texas.
If he is, he'll tell you on his own.
If he ain't, no need to embarrass him."
Larry
Jan 8, 2012, 9:13:04 PM1/8/12
to
On Jan 7, 5:48 pm, Larry DeMar <larry....@gmail.com> wrote:
> Pinball friends: 12/26/11 wasSteveKordek's100th birthday. I spoke
> toSteveand he sounded great. We are going to get our old Williams
> Pinball friends: 12/26/11 wasSteveKordek's100th birthday. I spoke
> gang together withStevefor a celebration in January. I would like
> the pinball community on RGP to post their thoughts, memories and/or
> messages forSteve. I will get them bound in an attractive booklet
> (ahem.....hint to my artist friends) and present on behalf of the
> pinball Internet community. Please think of a memory ortributetoSteveand post it here right away. Thank you. -Larry DeMar
OK everyone.......this is fabulous. With all of the great memories I
think I'm going to try to put together a slideshow of photos too and
read some of your comments as we step through some pictures. I have
some great shots of Steve and can get photos of the games mentioned in
this thread, but if you have any good photos of Steve, or of any of
his games it would be great if you could share them with me. If you
don't have my email address, put em on a share site and post the
link. If you mentioned a game in your comment and can put a photo of
you with that game it would go well with my concept (in the absence of
an older relevant photo of the game). Thanks everyone! -Larry DeMar
MrBally
Jan 9, 2012, 12:06:58 AM1/9/12
to
I believe it was the AMOA show in 1978 where I first met you. I had
seen your name in a few articles in Play Meter and seen pictures of
you with Space Mission in Roger Sharpe's Pinball! book. I was nerveous
to approach you as I was a teenager at the time. You made me feel
welcome and let me take your picture with the models. And boy did
Williams hire the cuties from Bud Solk's agency. I sent copies to you
and received a personally signed letter from you. Receiving that
letter and seeing that Williams Electronics logo on the envelope and
letterhead will always be remembered by me.
I wish you health and happiness.
Bruce Bis
Kerry Imming
Jan 10, 2012, 12:09:42 AM1/10/12
to
"Larry DeMar" <larr...@gmail.com> wrote in message
news:720e09b7-0e5a-425d...@k8g2000yqk.googlegroups.com...
Thank you Steve for all of your wonderful pinball innovations. I love what
you were able to do on the electro-mechanical games.... it's just like
magic. Every game of pinball played benefits from your contributions to the
game. Thanks again!
- Kerry Imming
P.S. Thanks for your work in pulling this together Larry.
Larry DeMar
Jan 28, 2012, 4:42:28 PM1/28/12
to
Facebook Site Added!
Hello RGPers. My thanks to all of you that provided quotes and
memories for Steve. We had a wonderful 100th birthday celebration on
January 20th. About 60 people from the pinball industry attended and
we all (especially Steve) had a wonderful time. Duncan Brown put
together a memory book with pictures and everyone's quotes and
memories. Photos, videos and the memory book can now be seen by all
on this page on Facebook:
https://www.facebook.com/pages/Steve-Kordek/216337748457176?sk=wall
Thank you for helping us to make this a wonderful tribute to our very
special friend.
-Larry
Hello RGPers. My thanks to all of you that provided quotes and
memories for Steve. We had a wonderful 100th birthday celebration on
January 20th. About 60 people from the pinball industry attended and
we all (especially Steve) had a wonderful time. Duncan Brown put
together a memory book with pictures and everyone's quotes and
memories. Photos, videos and the memory book can now be seen by all
on this page on Facebook:
https://www.facebook.com/pages/Steve-Kordek/216337748457176?sk=wall
Thank you for helping us to make this a wonderful tribute to our very
special friend.
-Larry
Larry DeMar
Feb 9, 2012, 3:04:17 PM2/9/12
to
Hello RGP.
Steve Kordek's Facebook page now has the vanity url:
https://www.facebook.com/SteveKordekPinball (someone beat us to
SteveKordek :( )
Visit now. Check out the new content (Thank you, Duncan) and "like"
the page to stay connected. We're almost at 100 "likes" for our 100
year old friend.
-Larry
On Jan 28, 3:42 pm, Larry DeMar <larry....@gmail.com> wrote:
> Facebook Site Added!
>
> Hello RGPers. My thanks to all of you that provided quotes and
> memories forSteve. We had a wonderful 100th birthday celebration on
> special friend.
>
> -Larry
> > gang together withStevefor a celebration in January. I would like
Steve Kordek's Facebook page now has the vanity url:
https://www.facebook.com/SteveKordekPinball (someone beat us to
SteveKordek :( )
Visit now. Check out the new content (Thank you, Duncan) and "like"
the page to stay connected. We're almost at 100 "likes" for our 100
year old friend.
-Larry
On Jan 28, 3:42 pm, Larry DeMar <larry....@gmail.com> wrote:
> Facebook Site Added!
>
> Hello RGPers. My thanks to all of you that provided quotes and
> January 20th. About 60 people from the pinball industry attended and
> we all (especiallySteve) had a wonderful time. Duncan Brown put
> together a memory book with pictures and everyone's quotes and
> memories. Photos, videos and the memory book can now be seen by all
> on this page on Facebook:
>
> https://www.facebook.com/pages/Steve-Kordek/216337748457176?sk=wall
>
> Thank you for helping us to make this a wonderfultributeto our very
> memories. Photos, videos and the memory book can now be seen by all
> on this page on Facebook:
>
> https://www.facebook.com/pages/Steve-Kordek/216337748457176?sk=wall
>
> special friend.
>
> -Larry
>
> On Jan 7, 5:48 pm,LarryDeMar<larry....@gmail.com> wrote:
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
> > Pinball friends: 12/26/11 wasSteveKordek's100th birthday. I spoke
> > toSteveand he sounded great. We are going to get our old Williams
> On Jan 7, 5:48 pm,LarryDeMar<larry....@gmail.com> wrote:
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
> > Pinball friends: 12/26/11 wasSteveKordek's100th birthday. I spoke
> > gang together withStevefor a celebration in January. I would like
> > the pinball community on RGP to post their thoughts, memories and/or
> > messages forSteve. I will get them bound in an attractive booklet
> > (ahem.....hint to my artist friends) and present on behalf of the
> > pinball Internet community. Please think of a memory ortributeto
> >Steveand post it here right away. Thank you. -LarryDeMar
> > pinball Internet community. Please think of a memory ortributeto
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