Founder of Hideaway Pizza Dies At 74

Richard Dermer, who opened the first Hideaway Pizza in Stillwater back in 1957, has died. He was 74.

Hideaway Pizza marketing director and family friend Janie Harris told The Associated Press that Dermer died in an Oklahoma City hospital Friday night after a spate of health issues in recent years.

Dermer founded Hideaway Pizza while a student at Oklahoma State University. He'd go on to employ hundreds of OSU students at the iconic restaurant.

Later, Dermer passed along rights to stores outside of Stillwater, and Hideaway Pizza locations opened across Oklahoma, including Tulsa and Oklahoma City.

Harris says Dermer was an avid kite flyer and taught workshops to students. Dermer was a member of the Tulsa Wind Riders, which has been hosting the Tulsa Festival of Kites for more than 20 years.

Harris says a memorial service is planned for June 19 -- Dermer's birthday -- in Stillwater.