At 93, coaster rider loves his life's ups and downs

[coastersue]

At 93, coaster rider loves his life's ups and downs
By Diana Morse
Of The Morning Call
October 2, 2007

Lou Kogelman knows how to party.

The Allentown native with the distinction of being the oldest member of American Coaster Enthusiasts in the country, celebrated his 93rd birthday with a marathon of 11 consecutive rides Saturday on Dorney Park's skyscraping red roller coaster Steel Force.

More than a dozen friends and family members accompanied the white-haired gentleman dressed in khakis, a ''Steel Force'' sweatshirt and a green windbreaker, as he made his way up the ramp by wheelchair to the coaster's loading dock.

With some assistance, as his knees have begun giving him trouble, Kogelman climbed into the seat of the front car, settling in like a man cozying into a favorite recliner. As the coaster lurched into motion, Kogelman's daughter, Jean, along for the first ride, smiled as her father basked contentedly in the midday sun as the car crept toward the summit. Reaching the apex, the car seemed to hesitate before gaining speed. In seconds, the last car plummeted out of sight, reaching a top speed of 75 mph.

Eight times Kogelman rode the coaster's stomach-churning back-to-back plunges of 205 and 161 feet, soared through its two tunnels, and flew, arm raised to catch the breeze, over the triple peaks near the more than one mile-long rides end. At the end of the ninth run, an announcement is made over the loudspeaker system: Kogelman has broken a Dorney Park record by riding Steel Force 1,400 times.

A burst of cheers rose from young riders waiting in line for their turn to board. Cell phone cameras snapped pictures of the beaming record holder. Strains of ''Happy Birthday'' were heard among the throng.

His focus renewed, Kogelman raised his hands and pointed forward, signaling the operator he'd like to go again.

1,401.

1,402.

''It looks like we're going to have to drag him off,'' said daughter Debbie Leighton to family and friends, including several of Kogelman's healthcare professionals and administrators who, sharing their patients' passion for coasters, arrived to take part in the auspicious event.

''He's definitely got that 'I want to go again' look,'' remarked Rev. Cliff Herring of Whitehall, minister at St. John's UCC, Northampton, and one of the first to join ACE when the organization formed 30 years ago.

Herring, who met Kogelman waiting in line for a coaster ride at Dorney, joined ACE members Rev. Dave Gallick of Allentown's Bethany Children's Home, Carl Hittner of Allentown and Joel Styer of Reading for the pilgrimage in which each took a turn riding shotgun with the roller-coaster guru.

Kogelman says he got hooked on coasters in 1924 when, as a wide-eyed 7 year-old, he boarded Dorney Park's new -- and only -- roller coaster, then known only as ''The Coaster.''

''At that age everything seems fast,'' Kogelman says of the wooden coaster later re-named Thunderhawk, which next season will celebrate 85 years in operation.

Though Kogelman still appreciates the wooden coaster, he admits to seeking bigger thrills than the now-antique ride could provide.

As a young brewers' apprentice, Kogelman says he once joined Col. Philip Neuweiler, whose family owned now defunct Neuweiler Brewing, for a hair-raising swoop in Neuweiler's Ryan monoplane beneath the Tilghman Street Bridge.

Later taking the reins as master brewer for Allentown-based Horlacher Brewing Co., Kogelman retired after 41 years when the plant closed its doors in 1979.

Nearly two decades after retiring at age 82, Kogelman found his need for speed had only intensified. At the peak of the sports popularity, he bungee-jumped twice at the Allentown Fair and squeezed in a third jump in New Jersey before the sport was banned in the state.

Kogelman, one of approximately 350 ACE members in Eastern Pennsylvania, says he joined the club about 12 years ago and is often among the first people invited to try out Dorney's newer coasters before they open to the public, including Hydra the Revenge and Talon, the tallest and longest inverted coaster in the Northeast. ''I've ridden at least 80 significant coasters, including the major rides at Kings Dominion [Doswell, Va.] and Cedar Point [Sandusky, Ohio],'' he says. When asked which coaster is his favorite, he stares in disbelief. ''Do I have to say it? Steel Force!''

According to Dorney Park statistics, Kogelman's new record of 1,402 rides, with an average of 140 rides per season, is equivalent to logging more than 1,500 miles and 70 hours on the park's skyline staple, which debuted in 1997.

When asked why he continues to push the envelope after describing his affection for freefalling rides like Dorney's Dominator, Kogelman replies off the cuff, ''Oh, I'm getting old and don't know what I'm doing.'' He describes riding ''Batman & Robin: The Chiller'' five years ago at Six Flags Great Adventure, where passengers accelerate from 0-70 mph in less than four seconds with an enthusiastic ''Oh, yeah!''

During the amusement park off-season, Kogelman says he enjoys casinos, bowling, watching TV and shoveling show.

Though he would have liked to ride Steel Force on his actual birthdate, Friday, Sept. 28, the park is only open in the evenings on fall weekdays, and the weather might have been too chilly.

''So I got a haircut on my birthday. Big whoop!'' he says.

''He was getting ready for today's publicity,'' daughter Jean laughs. Though the Philadelphia resident admits she has neglected to keep count, she estimates she's joined her thrill-seeking father for more than 900 of the electrifying 3-minute rides.

As the oldest member of ACE, Kogelman is getting used to special attention. Richard Knoebel, president, Knoebels Amusement Park in Elysburg, has alerted staff to tell him when Kogelman is in the park.

''He likes to ride with me,'' Kogelman says. ''He says it's an honor to ride with the oldest member of ACE.''

Kogelman says breaking records isn't his reason for riding, however. After exiting Steel Force, Kogelman shakes the hand of Jim Yeager, Dorney Park vice president and general manager. ''Mr. Yeager,'' he says, addressing the gentleman with the warmth and instant familiarity of a fellow coaster fan.

''It's just plain fun,'' he says. ''I may come back next weekend. Why not?''

http://www.mcall.com/entertainment/all-rollercoaster.6067405oct02,0,7184980.story