Milton ‘Milt’ C. Shedd (September 26, 1922 – May 24, 2002) was an American businessman, philanthropist, conservationist, angler, and co-founder of SeaWorld.
Early life and military service
editShedd was born in El Paso, Texas and grew up in Los Angeles, California.[1] Shedd earned a degree in banking and finance from UCLA, where he played baseball and football.[2][3]
Shedd served as an Army officer in the Pacific during World War II where he earned a Silver Star, a Bronze Star, and a Purple Heart.[1][4][2]
SeaWorld
editIn 1964, Shedd and three of his fellow UCLA graduates Ken Norris, David Demott and George Millay founded SeaWorld San Diego.[5][1][4] The 22-acre park opened on March 21, 1964, with a few dolphins, sea lions, and 6 attractions. Shedd served as the lead fundraiser for the project raising $1.7 million.[1]
Shedd served as president and chairman of SeaWorld for 20 years.[5][4][2]
Shedd was often referred to by the media as the “Walt Disney of the Sea.”[5][1]
SeaWord Ohio, opened in 1970, and the Orlando park opened in 1973.[5][1]
AFTCO
editIn 1973, Shedd and his wife, Peggie purchased the Axelson Fishing Tackle Company (AFTCO), founded by J.C. Axelson in 1958. Once purchased, the name changed to the America Fishing Tackle Company.[1][2]
In the 1970s, Shedd along with fellow UCLA alumni and president of Jas. D. Easton, Inc., James L. Easton, developed AFTCO’s aluminum rod butt, later named the Unibutt. Shedd and wife Peggie purchased the naming rights to the Unuibutt.[3]
In 1989, AFTCO started the Bluewater Wear sports apparel clothing line.[1]
Philanthropy and conservation
editIn 1963, Shedd founded the non-profit research institution Mission Bay Research Foundation to finance marine research.[2][5][1] In 1977, the Foundation was renamed the Hubbs-Sea World Research Institute to honor fishery biologists Carl and Laura Hubbs and their contributions to marine science.[2][3]
Shedd established the UCLA Marine Science Center to train teachers to instruct their students about marine life.[1][2]
Throughout his life, Shedd supported conservation efforts including the elimination of shark longlining off California and restoring the state’s white seabass.[2] Shedd helped create and fund a $4.8 million, 10-acre white seabass fish hatchery in Carlsbad, California that opened in October of 1995.[5]
Personal life
editShedd is considered the pioneer of live-bait casting for marlin. In 2000, Sport Fishing Magazine credited Shedd and friends with a new and successful method of fishing in 1952: the use of live bait.[3][6] That same year, Shedd had 10-foot-long custom casting rods made that soon became known throughout Southern California as “Miltie Sticks.”[6]
Among the awards Shedd earned for his oceanic endeavors were the lifetime achievement award from the Audubon Society’s Living Oceans Program and the Professional Achievement Award from UCLA. In 2006, Shedd was posthumously inducted into the IGFA Hall of Fame.[4][2]
Milton Shedd was married to Peggie, and they had three children, Carol, Steve, and Bill. At the time of his passing in 2002, Shedd had nine grandchildren and one great-grandson.[5] Shedd died of cancer at his home in Newport Beach, California in 2002 at the age of 79.[5]
References
edit- ^ a b c d e f g h i j Gondo, Nancy (14 April 2011). "Milton Shedd's Love Of The Ocean Launched SeaWorld". Investor’s Business Daily. Retrieved 20 April 2024.
- ^ a b c d e f g h i Oliver, Myrna (30 May 2002). "Milton Shedd, 79; Co-Founder of Sea World Began Marine Institute". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved 20 April 2024.
- ^ a b c d Graham, Gary (30 January 2013). "Milton Shedd". BD Outdoors. Retrieved 20 April 2024.
- ^ a b c d Friedersdorf, Conor (21 March 2014). "THE FANTASTICAL VISION FOR THE ORIGINAL SEAWORLD". The Atlantic. Retrieved 20 April 2024.
- ^ a b c d e f g h Harper, Lolita (25 May 2002). "Marine life inspired his life". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved 20 April 2024.
- ^ a b Graham, Gary (1 October 2005), "Milton Shedd", Marlin Magazine