NEWPORT BEACH, Calif. (AP) — SeaWorld co-founder Milton C. Shedd, known as the "Walt Disney of the Sea," died of cancer Friday. He was 79.
Shedd was active in marine conservation during much of his life, but his most famous project was SeaWorld, the San Diego aquarium that was home to Shamu, the killer whale.
The project began as a plan by four fraternity brothers to open a restaurant with a marine show.
But once the four — Shedd, Ken Norris, David DeMott and George Millay — got into the project, they found it expensive and difficult. So they plunged in and built an aquarium instead. With an initial investment of $1.5 million, SeaWorld opened in 1964.
Shedd was SeaWorld's chairman for two decades and oversaw new SeaWorld park openings in Ohio and Florida.
He founded the Hubbs-SeaWorld Research Institute in 1963.
"He was just a real giver to the environment," Kent said. "He loved being out, loved being a fisherman, but always felt you needed to go a step beyond, to put fish back into the ocean and not always be a taker."
Shedd served in World War II and received the Silver Star, the Bronze Star and Purple Heart.