Ollie Johnston

In Memoriam
by Jan-Eric Nyström

OLLIE JOHNSTON

1912-2008

Ollie Johnston, veteran Live Steamer and the last of Walt Disney's "Nine Old Men", passed away on 2008-04-14.

I met Ollie the first time at the Disney Studio in 1976, and have visited him several times over the years. I treasure the correspondence we've kept up for over 30 years, discussing everything about steam and animation.

He was a dear friend, extremely talented, yet affable and modest.

He animated many of Disney's most beloved characters: Pinocchio, Bambi, Baloo, Bernard and Bianca, to name just a few.

He built a backyard railroad at his home in Flintridge, CA, where he ran three 1 inch scale engines, and he also restored and ran a full-size narrow-gauge Porter engine on his property in Julian, CA.

We miss him!

May he rest in peace.