Amusement Machine Pioneer Rich Oltmann Dies At 72

BURBANK, IL -- J. Richard Oltmann, an amusement industry icon, died on Saturday, May 30. Oltmann, who had suffered from cancer, was 72.

Oltmann was involved in the coin-operated amusement industry for more than 50 years. He had owned family entertainment centers, operated game routes and designed numerous amusement machines, making him one of the industry's most accomplished and prolific entrepreneurs.

His family entertainment centers and parks in the Chicagoland market range from 25,000 square feet to more than 25 acres. At 60,000 square feet, Oltmann's Enchanted Castle (Lombard, IL), an indoor FEC, is admired by amusement operators from around the world. Miniature golf, go-kart tracks and arcade gamerooms were among his areas of expertise. He also built a street route encompassing some 2,000 pieces.

Oltmann was a talented game designer, too. He developed more than 40 games for such factories as Bay Tek Games, Coastal Amusements and Lasertron. Big Shot, Speed Demon and Spin to Win, along with Caveman Clobber, After Shock and Basket Fever are among the titles he designed.

In 2002, Oltmann began manufacturing his own redemption games. He established Family Fun Cos., a division J. Richard Oltmann Entertainment Inc. Since its inception, Family Fun Cos. has created about three dozen arcade games, and several kiddie rides.

Richard Oltmann is survived by his wife Diane, son Richie and daughter Dawn.

A wake will be held Sunday, June 7, from 2 p.m. to 9 p.m. at Blake Lamb Funeral Home at 4727 W 103rd St. Oak Lawn, IL 60453. The funeral service is scheduled for Monday, June 8, at 10 a.m.