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M OT I O N P I CTU R E S O U N D E D I TO R S 15 nn Kroeber suddenly passed on July 13, 2024, in Tucson, Arizona. Her life and work were extraordinary in every way. Her body of cinema sound work, both with her husband Alan Splet and her work individually, rose to the highest pinnacles of creative excellence–her credits included such iconic films as The Black Stallion, Dune, Blue Velvet, The Mosquito Coast, The Unbearable Lightness of Being, Dead Poets Society, Henry & June, The English Patient, The Horse Whisperer and many others. Ann had a particular gift in working with animals and capturing their sonic character that remains unrivaled in the film, TV and the game sound world. Her work with Alan Splet on many of David Lynch's films was always amazing and creatively organic. She also created and curated the Sound Mountain sound effects library, which incorporated much of hers and Alan's sound recordings and design achievements. Her libraries live on in collections she released commercially with both the Hollywood Edge and ProSound Effects. She is survived by her children Lisa and Christopher Splet. Ann Kroeber with her husband Alan Splet and their two children Lisa and Christopher Splet. September 13, 1946 - July 13, 2024 Ann Kroeber A "I met Ann on The Black Stallion. I was working on Apocalypse Now in the same building, and Alan and Ann asked if I could record a few sound effects for 'Stallion, which I was honored to do. They had done some truly amazing horse recordings for the film, which I got to listen to and marvel at. Ann had the sensibility, technique, and style of a fine artist. I learned a lot from her, and deeply admired her indomitable spirit, which she had to call on in the years after Alan died, when she had to establish herself as a solo female sound designer in our industry, where it is still more difficult than it should be for women to succeed. Ann is deservedly a legend in sound design, and will continue to be a wonderful example for us all." — R A N DY T H O M "Ann Kroeber was a big part of what was a Golden Age of film sound. Then Ann carried that knowledge and enthusiasm into the years since, graciously sharing her passion for our art form with filmmakers, students, and colleagues like me. When asked, she readily helped me find sounds from the library she and Alan created, a library she knew and loved deeply. She also knew how to record and create new, unique, and beautiful sounds. In Ann's work, you could hear her heart." — G A RY RY D ST R O M