In Memoriam: Buddy Pope Lighting&Sound America has learned the sad news of the passing of Buddy Pope, director of special projects at 4Wall Entertainment. A graduate of Crafton College in Yucaipa, California, Pope's earlier career included a stint as technical director at San Luis Obispo Performing Arts Center. He joined 4Wall in 2000; among his projects for the company were Universal Studios Beijing; SOFI Stadium at Hollywood Park; the revitalization of the Polynesian Cultural Center, in Oahu, Hawaii; and three attractions at Disneyland: Millennium Falcon: Smugglers Run, Star Wars: Galaxy's Edge, and Star Wars: Rise of the Resistance. The latter four attractions were honored with THEA Awards. A statement from 4Wall, posted on social media states: "It is with profound sadness that we share the passing of Buddy Pope. Buddy has been a part of 4Wall since the beginning, building up our systems and design team to what it is today. "We want to honor his passing by sharing some pictures and insights from those that knew him best. "Brent Pritchett worked with him daily and had this to say about his friend, 'Over the past 16 years, I have had the honor of working alongside Buddy and, in that time, we became the closest of friends. Our shared passion for tackling the most ambitious projects took us around the globe, where Buddy's brilliance truly shone. His unmatched ability to understand clients' needs, his knack for envisioning entire lighting systems with just a glance, and his dedication to our team's success were remarkable. Buddy's work ethic was second to none, and he thrived on being on-site, ensuring everything was executed flawlessly. Even when work took him far from home for extended periods, Buddy's commitment to his family never wavered; he always made time to call his wife and family daily, regardless of how hectic his schedule was. "Buddy's absence will be deeply felt by all who knew him. His unwavering dedication, sharp intellect, and the warmth he brought to every project and interaction made him an exceptional person. He was not just a colleague but a true friend, and his legacy will live on in the countless projects and lives he touched. Buddy will be profoundly missed, and his memory will always hold a special place in our hearts. "His beloved wife Sharon shared these words with us when she let us know of his passing. Our hearts ache for her and their children as they celebrate his life, and we thank her for sharing with his team how much they all meant to him. "From Sharon, 'Thank all of you for being such an important part of his life. For 25 years, this wasn't just a job to him; it was his second family. He truly loved going to work every day, not only because he cared deeply about the work, but because of the friendships, laughter, and support he found in each of you. Working at 4Wall gave him purpose, pride, stress (haha), and an absolute LOVE of his job! I hope you know how much you all meant to him. He loved all of you!' "We already miss you, Buddy. May you rest in peace'." 
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