This is part of a continuing series of article we do each week with people changing the face of the Horror/Haunted Attraction Industry. This week we interview the co-founder of Darkride and Funhouse Enthusiasts organization (DAFE). One of my fondest memories growing up was visiting the State Fair of Texas and riding the little Dark Ride they had there. Even back then I enjoyed being scared! Read on to find out more about this organization and how they help restore these classic theme park rides.

What is your position with the DAFE?
I am one of the three founders (the other two are my wife Sue and my friend Joel Styer), I am DAFE’s Director, and I am the editor for Barrel O’ Fun.

Is DAFE your full time gig?
No. Although it seems that all my time is spent working for DAFE, my “real” job is with the Federal Aviation Administration as an Airway Transportations System Specialist. That is an electronics technician maintaining communications, data, RADAR, and other systems.

How did you first become interested in the darkrides and funhouses?
I think there are three answers to this question, all of which brought me to where I am today. The first was my all time favorite amusement park attraction, the Funhouse at Idora Park (long defunct) in Youngstown, Ohio. I was a young child, but I remember it well. I loved the funhouse with its slides, revolving barrel, moving walkways, and Magic Carpet ride. I could have stayed in there all day! I could have lived in there! That love was shorted lived as it was replaced by a psychedelic walkthrough attraction in the mid-sixties.

I then rediscovered amusement parks after I left the Air Force. At the time, I became interested in building models of amusement rides. That led to visiting parks to photograph rides and of course rekindled an interest in the parks themselves.

The final piece of the puzzle was meeting Joel Styer online shortly after I got a computer and discovered the Internet. At that time Joel had a web site devoted to Pennsylvania amusement parks. That soon became two web sites, Defunct Parks and Ridezone. Joel and I began swapping notes on rides and soon became good friends.