Tomorrow marks 117 years since animator Richard Bickenbach was born. He had an extraordinary career in the industry that spanned fifty years and saw him work with everyone from Ub Iwerks to, of course, Bill Hanna and Joe Barbera. He was one of many who joined the company in the aftermath of MGM closing down their animation unit, and he stayed with them until 1980. He played a big role in shaping the look of their early shows, and for many of us, when we imagine the likes of Yogi Bear and the Flintstones family, it's his art we see.
Below is a short but nonetheless insightful piece about Bickenbach shortly after his retirement. This ran in The Desert Sun on January 31st, 1981, highlighting his appearance at the Palm Springs Women's Club. It also sheds some light on his pre-animation days, information that I had never heard of before finding this article.
Palm Springs Women's Club
The Palm Springs Women's Club will meet Monday at 314 S. Cahuilla Road at 2 p.m. The program titled "A Real Treat" will feature Dick Bickenbach, Dorothy Bickenbach, and Jim Bisso.
Dick Bickenbach studied music in Long Beach and won a scholarship to the Chicago College of Music. He studied with Frans-Proshowski and sang on a half-hour program at KNX radio. Dick is a graduate from UCLA and is the artist for the "Flintstones" and "Yogi Bear"/
Dorothy Bickenbach, a graduate from USC played at KNX radio for the musicians where she met her husband. She has taught music and now, retired, gives her time to help students at C.O.D.
Jim Bisso has been playing the mandolin since he was a child. Though he was in the electrical business for 35 years, his love for music never diminished. He enjoys playing today as much as he did when he was a child.
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