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Former Mt. Pulaskian was personal
friend and right-hand artist with Walt Disney
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[September 18, 2014]
MOUNT
PULASKI - Herbert Dickens Ryman, Jr. (June 28, 1910 – February 10,
1989) was an artist and Disney Imagineer who worked in watercolor,
oils, and pen & ink sketches. This former Mt. Pulaskian was a
personal friend and right-hand artist of Walt Disney who was called
upon to help the Walt Disney Studios (Burbank) on many special
projects over a five decade span.
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He was the chief designer of the Cinderella Castle at the Walt
Disney World Resort. He also help design many major pictures for
Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer and 20th Century Fox during Hollywood's "golden
age." He was a major contributor to the screen styling of David
Copperfield, A Tale of Two Cities, Anna Karenina and Mutiny on the
Bounty. In 1990, Herb Ryman was inducted [posthumously] into the
Disney Legends Program. Herbert died of cancer in his home in
Sherman Oaks, CA., at the age of 78.
EARLY LIFE: Herbert was born in Vernon, Il., and moved with
his family to Mt. Pulaski, where his father, Dr. Herbert Dickens
Ryman, Sr., a surgeon, went into medical practice with Dr. Forrest
VanHook in Mt. Pulaski. Dr. Ryman volunteered for the WWI war
effort, and was killed on the French battlefield while administering
to wounded soldiers.
![](http://archives.lincolndailynews.com/2014/Sep/18/images/ads/current/LPL_small%201.gif) Young Herbert and his two sisters attended Mt. Pulaski Grade
School, then moved with their mother to nearby Decatur following the
end of WWI. Herb shares a window with two other talented Disney
artists, John Hench and Peter Ellenshaw. Their window, which simply
states, ‘Plaza School of Art – Instructors,’ is actually located on
Plaza Street (adjacent to Main Street, U.S.A.) above Main Street
Photo Supply Co. at Disneyland. Herb passed away while still working
on ideas for Disneyland Paris in his home studio.”
It should also be noted that the Mount Pulaski American Legion is
the Ryman-Fuiten Post 447, and was established in 1920.
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This is just one of the several interesting stories about
Mount Pulaskians that can be found in the Mount Pulaski Township
Historical Society newsletters. The newsletters strive to
feature local residents who became nationally recognized over
the years.
As an example, Mount Pulaskians who will be featured include a
co-worker of Thomas Edison with his phonograph invention; a
photographer whose 1930’s camera invention was placed in the
Smithsonian at its inaugural opening in 1946; a Hollywood agent who,
along with her husband, helped Marilyn Monroe get her start in show
business, etc.
The historic society invites anyone interested in becoming a member
to contact Sue at 217 792 5693 or call the Historical Society Museum
at 217 792 3719 for more information.
[By PHIL BERTONI]
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