Carl Eichelman: The IRS Agent Who Tamed The Beast

When most people think of an Internal Revenue Service (IRS) employee, they envision a no-nonsense, stern individual. However, Carl Eichelman defied this stereotype.

A native of Toledo, Ohio, Carl was an extroverted, fun-loving, and ingenuous individual who made history with his record-setting 4,400 rides on The Beast roller coaster from 1979 to 1985.

Carl, who passed away in 2017 at the age of 77, was known as the original Beast tamer. His thrilling journeys on The Beast took him over 6,100 miles, navigating the coaster’s 7,359 feet of track at speeds up to 65 mph. He spent over 360 hours (approximately 15 days) of his life riding The Beast, making it an integral part of his life.

Carl’s Fascination with The Beast

Carl’s fascination with The Beast began almost a year before the ride opened in the summer of 1979. He saw aerial construction footage on a Dayton TV news station (WDTN) and was immediately captivated. His curiosity led him to frequently contact Kings Island for construction updates, often calling multiple times a week. Ruth Voss, the park’s public relations manager at the time, fielded most of his inquiries and eventually told him, “We can’t tell you how many bolts we put in since yesterday.”

Recognizing Carl’s enthusiasm, Ruth and other Kings Island officials invited him to attend media day on April 13, 1979. Despite the pouring rain, Carl rode The Beast six times that day. Undeterred by getting soaked, he continued riding, even calling his colleagues at the IRS from the station phones to share the thrill, exclaiming, “Here it comes! Listen!”

A Roller Coaster Celebrity

Carl soon became a daily rider of The Beast, logging 530 rides in 1979 and 1,230 rides in 1980. By 1981, he had reached 2,000 rides and gained celebrity status, giving countless interviews to TV, newspapers, magazines, and radio stations nationwide. His genuine excitement and passion for The Beast shone through in every interaction.

In 1981, Carl’s dedication was formally recognized in an Ohio Senate resolution, making him the only person in America honored by a state Senate for riding a roller coaster. State Senator Cooper Snyder humorously noted, “Carl Eichelman is, indeed, a remarkable individual, combining limitless energy and enthusiasm with personal motivation in the single-minded pursuit of this outstanding record. In these times of rapidly accelerating world events and a plunging economy, it is heartening to be able to look up to Carl Eichelman as he reached the pinnacle of success of achievement in his special pursuit of tracking America’s roller coasters.”

Carl Eichelman’s Lasting Legacy

It has been 39 years since Carl Eichelman frequented Kings Island to ride The Beast. Yet, his remarkable achievements remain a celebrated part of the ride’s history. Carl’s story is a testament to his unique character and unyielding enthusiasm, ensuring that his legacy will always be intertwined with the lore of The Beast.

Theme Parks By Don