Ronald Valentine Toomer (May 31, 1930 – September 26, 2011) was an American roller coaster designer credited for designing 93 roller coasters around the world. He graduated from the University of Nevada, Reno in 1961 with a degree in mechanical engineering and was a part of the design team responsible for the Apollo spacecraft heat shield. It opened in 1966 utilizing the tubular steel rail technology that had been developed by Arrow for Disneyland's Matterhorn Bobsleds. The concept caught on quickly and Toomer designed 15 more mine train coasters for Arrow. All but one are still operating today. Following almost four years of development, Toomer introduced the modern looping roller coaster in 1975 with the opening of Corkscrew, the first in the world with two inversions, at Knott's Berry Farm. Knott's is credited with having the first, but three more identical coasters opened later that same year. The following year he introduced the familiar Arrow teardrop-shaped vertical loop on a custom corkscrew coaster at Cedar Point amusement park in Sandusky, Ohio.

In 1981, Arrow Development was purchased by Huss Maschinenfabrik, which merged with Arrow Development to form Arrow-Huss. Toomer was made vice president and manager of engineering.

  • Roaring 20's Corkscrew<!--please do not change. This is the correct spelling of the coaster-->, (Knott's Berry Farm), first coaster with two inversions.
  • Corkscrew (Cedar Point), first with three inversions.
  • Carolina Cyclone (Carowinds), first with four inversions.
  • Loch Ness Monster (Busch Gardens Williamsburg), first with interlocking vertical loops.
  • Gemini (Cedar Point), only Arrow racing coaster, record breaking height when opened.
  • Magnum XL-200 (Cedar Point), first to exceed 200 feet.
  • The Pepsi Max Big One (Blackpool Pleasure Beach), opened as the world's tallest and steepest coaster.

Personal life and death

Toomer married Betty in 1957. He died in 2011, aged 81, after a short battle with cancer. His widow survived him by five years.

References

  • Website: http://www.iaapa.org/industry/funworld/2005/october05/Features/thrill_maker/thrill.html
  • PDF: https://amusementtoday.com/backissues/at_preiaapa_2011_web.pdf