Donn Beach

Donn Beach
Born
Ernest Raymond Gantt

(1907-02-22)February 22, 1907
DiedJune 7, 1989(1989-06-07) (aged 82)
Resting placeNational Memorial Cemetery of the Pacific
Other namesDon Gantt, Don E.R.G. Beach-Comber, Donn E.R.G. Beach
Spouse(s)Cora Irene "Sunny" Sund, Carla Dupree, Phoebe Beach
Military career
AllegianceUnited States
Service / branchUnited States Army Air Forces
Years of service1942–1945
RankLt Col
Service numberAO 904 870
Awards
  • Purple Heart
  • Bronze Star

Donn Beach (born Ernest Raymond Gantt; February 22, 1907 – June 7, 1989) was an American adventurer, businessman, and World War II veteran who was the "founding father" of tiki culture. He is known for opening the first prototypical tiki bar, Don’s Beachcomber, during the 1930s in Hollywood, California, which was expanded to a chain of dozens of restaurants throughout the United States. He later built the International Market Place and additional establishments in what was then the Territory of Hawaii. He married three times.