Popular Post Cha Posted November 28, 2018 Popular Post Share Posted November 28, 2018 (edited) Stephen Hillenburg, friendly local marine biologist turned one of the most lengendary animated television series creators of all time. The single man that brought every one of us members together whether that was from the beginning of the website in 2009 or to you newer members as recent as this year. ALS is a vicious disease and although most of us suspected Mr. Hillenburg to be able to fight it off a bit longer, he at least I really hope he had the chance to be around the people he loved during those critical moments. Without him though, we, his fans wouldn’t have had all these shared laughs over silly and dumb quotes, the passion to create spin-off stories of our own and there would be overall, no SpongeBob SquarePants and the vast amount of other colorful, unique characters he’s created. There would be no Community he is our Community. But Mr. Hillenburg was so much more than the most powerful voice in Nickelodeon’s franchise empire. He was a beloved husband and father, a snorkler, a birdwatcher, a drummer with his fellow drummer son Clay and an overall great guy to be around I’m sure any of his colleagues, friends and family would proclaim. He’s impacted millions if not billions over these years, it’ll be hard to go without him truly as I could say for many fans and people close to him. Mr. Hillenburg, thank you. Thank you for letting us all have glimpse inside your incredibly talented mind. Thank you for the chance you had to make TV a more optimistic, bright and nautical nonsense place. Sincerely yours, The SpongeBob Community Edited November 28, 2018 by jjsthekid 2 39 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TJ Posted November 28, 2018 Share Posted November 28, 2018 R.I.P Stephen, and thank you for giving us what we have today. 4 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Popular Post Turo Posted November 28, 2018 Popular Post Share Posted November 28, 2018 The news came really shocking to anyone here because we all thought he'd last a few more years but here we are. Rest in peace to the person who created many of people around the world, including mine a wonderful childhood. SpongeBob is a cartoon that made me laugh in a way no other cartoon could. It had a great message of positivity, fun and kindness. This can be often rare in a cartoon or it can get really preachy in some other cartoons but SpongeBob knew how to be comedic and sweet. The show brought many smiles to children and adults and I'll never forget that. And none of it would happen without Hillenburg's vision, sense of humor and creativity. He truly made a legacy to something that inspiried many other shows. I'll never stop thanking you for giving us all the great and hilarious times. Thank you so much. He was #1! 10 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Koopa Troopa Posted November 28, 2018 Share Posted November 28, 2018 (edited) Rest in peace to a man who created something truly special, something that will be remembered by many, including me, for years to come. I was introduced to SpongeBob in the earlier years of my childhood. It sparked a lifelong love of animation in general, and still inspires many of the things I create and do. Even though I've went through several different interests over the years, SB has always been one of the few things that I consistently come back to, because of how it captivated me as a young lad, and still, especially now, continues to surprise me at 19 years old. Farewell, Hillenburg. You'll always be number one in my heart. Edited November 28, 2018 by SpongeRobert RectangleShorts 4 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Patty Rose Posted November 28, 2018 Share Posted November 28, 2018 Thank you Mr. Hillenburg. Thank you for everything. 5 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Master Cheeks Posted November 28, 2018 Share Posted November 28, 2018 Having seen ALS take someone in my life before, I can only hope Stephen suffered as little as possible at the end. Although SpongeBob hasn't been the compelling reason I come here in a long time, it was for a long time and even before SBC, it was an important cartoon for an important and difficult time in my life. We can debate the quality of the newer seasons and whether the older ones are as unquestionably good as we sometimes remember, but we can't debate the formative impact the show had on us at some point in our lives and that is all because of Stephen and his vision for a great cartoon. You will be greatly missed Mr. Hillenburg. 5 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Popular Post OWM Posted November 28, 2018 Popular Post Share Posted November 28, 2018 The legacy you’ve left on us and millions – hell, even billions – of children and adults from all around the globe is unremarkable. I always had a vast amount of respect for you, your great sense of humor, and your brilliant talent, and I still do. Amazing how you managed to bring together groups from all sorts of people from all different backgrounds, including one as great as this site. Thank you. 9 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Goobz Posted November 28, 2018 Share Posted November 28, 2018 Lots of pain went through my heart when I saw the news, truly heartbreaking. Stephen was my role model for all the years I had been drawing cartoons and wanting to become a cartoonist one day. He was my one and only inspiration that kept me going and his very own creation is what kept me on my feet throughout the hardest moments of all my life. All the struggles could be fought by that yellow sponge of his, he was a great man and had passion, he kept coming in to work on his show despite his disease, the wicked ALS. Also you know, there were so many sexual harassers, pedophiles, or straight up jerks who made major cartoons for Nick, but their most major cartoon had been made by an excellent man who had done none of these things yet was victimized by ALS. Hillenburg will go down as one of the greatest cartoonists and simply one of the best people to ever live on this planet. Condolences to his family and may he finally rest in peace. 5 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Princess Peach Posted November 28, 2018 Share Posted November 28, 2018 this is truly one of saddest day ever for SB fans from all of us here on SBC...we'll miss you RIP 5 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
NegiSpongie Posted November 28, 2018 Share Posted November 28, 2018 When I heard this news yesterday, I felt so sad that I cried the rest of the evening cuz I felt that I lost someone important in my life. I know I didn't know the man personally, but Steve Hillenburg will always be known as the one who had the biggest influence in my life (just as he probably did for all of us here in the SpongeBob Community). Through his creation of SpongeBob, I learned to laugh at cartoons, I learned to draw cartoons, I was inspired to write fanfiction, and I've been inspired to pursue my interest and follow my dream to be a cartoonist so that I too can one day create something that will have just as big an impact as SpongeBob and bring joy to people of all ages. I can easily say that without him creating SpongeBob, I wouldn't be who I am today thanks to the impact he left on both children and adults alike with his creation. If I had an aquarium fish tank, I would definitely stick a picture of SpongeBob at the bottom of the glass just like he was said to have done while creating his show. I never imagined that after he was diagnosed with ALS that he would go as soon as this, but I respect how he continued doing what he loved until the end and I can only hope to that he was surrounded by loved ones in his final moments. My thoughts and prayers go out to his family, friends, and everyone at Nickelodeon who had the pleasure of working with him. RIP Stephen Hillenburg, you will be missed. 5 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
70s Posted November 28, 2018 Share Posted November 28, 2018 When I got off work yesterday it was so weird to see this news. Of course I had heard Stephen Hillenburg was diagnosed with ALS but it feels like that just happened... what a terrible disease to have taken him so fast. I don't know what to say that hasn't already been said, but this man had a huge positive impact on an entire generation and certainly changed my life for the better. This place was my introduction to online communities, something that's helped me through a lot of tough times in my life. SpongeBob has also been vital in giving me something to laugh at when I really needed it, and its cultural impact just cannot be overstated. You can quote it to almost anyone in our generation and inspire huge laughter. Look no further than the countless memes for the impact this man had. Can't wait to show my own kids his creation one day. 7 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
magic the veemon Posted November 28, 2018 Share Posted November 28, 2018 stephen i miss you als is a terrible way to go out with i hope he at least lived a happy life 5 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
McSponge Posted November 28, 2018 Share Posted November 28, 2018 [See SBM post for larger tribute highlighting the integrity and respect of Stephen Hillenburg). Twas only a little over a year and a half ago Stephen was diagnosed with ALS. I always assumed the series would finish before his unfortunate passing (I assumed he'd live until at least the late 20's). The worldwide impact Stephen's had on animation and generations of children is remarkable. As such an animation fan, I pay my respects to one of the most prestigious men in modern animation history. I've always looked up to his work in a way for inspiration, and while my interests in the Sponge have shifted, the endless hours of stories both good and bad, have entertained and shaped a significant chunk of my childhood. He was a man with simple passion and love for the sea-life. The work of Stephen and all his writers are solidified in animation history. To that, thank you Stephen Hillenburg. Your character has left a tremendous impact worldwide, may you rest in peace. 5 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Popular Post Jackie Chan Posted November 28, 2018 Popular Post Share Posted November 28, 2018 Stephen, I’m sorry I never got to know you personally. I would have loved to meet you. Rest in peace you legend. 13 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SBManiac Posted November 28, 2018 Share Posted November 28, 2018 SpongeBob was one of my favorite cartoons growing up, probably the first favorite cartoon I had ever. The show’s influence can be felt to this day through memes and the many aspiring animators on this thread and who knows where else, and it’s strange to see the person responsible for it pass away. While I was more of a regular on the infamous SBM, SBC has its fair share of great members, too, and it amazes me that this man’s creation brought so many people from different walks of life together. I can’t imagine what it’s like to live with ALS, it must have been really painful, but props to Hillenburg for working on his creation to the very end, and I hope he was surrounded by his loved ones in those final moments. Thank you, Stephen Hillenburg, and may you Rest In Peace. 9 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BeachBob95 Posted November 28, 2018 Share Posted November 28, 2018 Rest in piece, SpongeBob's dad. You made my dark days of being a sad kid worth living through and I will always remember you <3 4 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CyanideFishbone Posted November 29, 2018 Share Posted November 29, 2018 (edited) I think this is one of the only celebrity deaths I've legitimately cried at. Hillenburg changed the scope of television and especially animation and will be missed greatly. His work has made a humongous impact on my creative process and style of humor today, and I solidly believe there will never, ever, ever be another cartoon that will be able to capture the charisma and charm of SpongeBob. Stephen Hillenburg was a genius. RIP. I may not watch Spongebob as much as I used to, but I've recently been getting back into it and wow, this just really devastated me, honestly. Side note- I'm actually listening to Spongebob and Patrick Confront The Psychic Wall Of Energy and I didn't even see the first post yet. That song really is amazing. I was actually crying to it pretty hard last night. Edited November 29, 2018 by CyanideFishbone 4 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
4EverFreeGuy Posted November 29, 2018 Share Posted November 29, 2018 It just seems unreal to think that Stephen Hillenburg would pass so soon after Stan Lee did. It's one thing to lose someone as old as Stan Lee was, but it still felt like Stephen Hillenburg was cut down in the prime of his life. It's going to be difficult to move on and carry on without him, but I hope that Stephen Hillenburg would want us to carry on the best we can. After all, I think one of the biggest themes of "Spongebob Squarepants", was to always enjoy yourself, no matter what obstacles come your way, and to always make the best out of any situation. I'll always appreciate Stephen Hillenburg for creating this great series, and we shall do our best to honor his memory, by continuing to watch this great series for however long it ends up lasting. Rest in peace, Stephen Hillenburg. You will be missed. 5 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Supmandude Posted November 29, 2018 Share Posted November 29, 2018 (edited) Words cannot express what Stephen Hillenburg has given to me in my life. Countless laughs and smiles! Some of my best moments ever were thanks to him and I really have no clue where I'd be if it weren't for the show he created. I know my praising of SpongeBob can sometimes come across as facetious, but I want to make it clear, from the bottom of my heart, I adore this show and I standby every positive word I've ever said about it! The little bit of hyperbole I've used was only to exaggerate my love, not to by sarcastic or "troll" as it has occasionally come across to some people. Just clarifying that, because I've said a lot of positive things about the show and I'm sure you all know that I think it's absolute perfection and the greatest cartoon of all time. I meant all of that! Thank you so, so, so, so much for everything you've given us, Steve!!! It's so sad that you had to leave this world so young. The world is a lot worse off without your sense of humor and the love you provided, but we'll forever be grateful that you were here at all! Almost all of our lives were influenced by you for the better, which is the best thing you can say about anyone. Thank you!!! I don't know what happens after this life, but I can only hope that you're having the Best Day Ever somewhere right now!!! Goodbye and thank you for everything!!! Edited November 29, 2018 by Supmandude 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
El Jacko Posted November 29, 2018 Share Posted November 29, 2018 Stephen basically made my childhood. I can't think of myself living my life without SpongeBob. RIP Stephen, you will always be remembered, you're truly a legend. 5 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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