Dick Pope Sr.

For other people named Dick Pope, see Dick Pope (disambiguation).

Dick Pope Sr.
Born
Richard Downing Pope

(1900-04-19)April 19, 1900
Des Moines, Iowa, U.S.
DiedJanuary 28, 1988(1988-01-28) (aged 87)
Winter Haven, Florida, U.S.
OccupationFounder of Cypress Gardens
SpouseJulie Pope
Children2, including Dick Pope Jr.

Richard Downing Pope Sr. (April 19, 1900 – January 28, 1988), known as Dick Pope, was a prominent figure in the development of Florida tourism who founded the amusement park Cypress Gardens and popularized the sport of water skiing. He was widely known as "Mr. Florida", and was also called "Mr. Water Skiing", the "Grand Poobah of Publicity", and an "aquatic Barnum". Pope actively campaigned for Walt Disney World to be located in Florida.

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