Stephen Hillenburg used his loves of drawing and marine biology to develop the underwater world of Bikini Bottom. On Tuesday, the man who created SpongeBob SquarePants died at the age of 57. The devastating news was confirmed by the network that has broadcast the hugely popular cartoon series since 1999, Nickelodeon.
According to the company, Hillenburg’s cause of death was motor neurone disease (also known as ALS), a condition he revealed he had been diagnosed with in March last year.
Hillenburg graduated from Humboldt State University in 1984 with a bachelor’s degree in Natural Resource Planning and Interpretation, emphasizing on marine resources. It allowed him to become a marine biology teacher at the Orange County Marine Institute (now the Ocean Institute) in Dana Point, California. Combine this experience with the Master of Fine Arts he earned in 1992 and you’ll understand why Hillenburg was so good at creating stories as teaching tools.
SpongeBob Squarepants has aired nearly 250 episodes to date. And the way the fans of the show are mourning Hillenburg’s passing is clear that he and his work won’t be forgotten. Since hearing the shocking news, people have been sharing the tributes they have created in honor of the animator who is survived by his wife of 20 years, Karen, and son Clay. Bored Panda has collected some of them, inviting you to pay your respects.
(h/t variety)
Rest in Peace, Captain.
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Stephen Hillenburg may be gone, but his legacy will live on till the end of time.
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Thanks for the laughs.
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Rest In Peace Stephen Hillenburg. Your with those other great creators of our childhood, rest well in your pineapple in the sky
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Thank you, Stephen Hillenburg, we miss you.
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Stephen Hillenburg’s passing caught me by complete surprise I cannot thank him enough for enlightening my childhood with SpongeBob Squarepants. Rest easy, sir.
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We will miss you. You created a BIG part of my childhood, thank you!
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Thank you Mr. Hillenburg, for an amazing little sponge that has never failed to make me smile
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I am absolutely heartbroken over Stephen Hillenburg’s passing. Spongebob has affected and inspired me in ways I couldn’t even begin to describe, and it’s one of my favorite cartoons of all time. Rest in peace, Stephen, you absolute legend.
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Thank you for everything.
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My heart breaks today over the loss of Stephen Hillenburg, creator of SpongeBob SquarePants, a show that revolutionized modern cartoons and became one of the most inspiring creations of my lifetime. I owe so much of my style and humor to him.
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RIP Steven Hillenburg 
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Rest in Peace Stephen Hillenburg The creator of Spongebob Squarepants passed away today… Sad for the family and the generation who grew up with his creativity.
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goodbye, friend!
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He was 57 and the cause of his passing was A.L.S. (you know disease the ice bucket challenge was raising money for research)
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Stephen Hillenburg is up there now, with Stan, Walt, and Chuck…RIP…
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Stephen Hillenburg will be greatly missed. He was a huge artistic inspiration for me, and many others…
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Goodbye
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you will continue seeing your creation make lives happy from above
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it’s not about winning, it’s about fun
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SpongeBob Squarepants maybe is having fun with Stephen Hillenburg now… it´s nice think in that
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“This kitchen’s not the same, without you…” Rest in peace Stephen Hillenburg, thank you for entertaining us all!
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Stephen Hillenburg was a real inspiration for me. He took a goofy idea and turned it into one of the greatest cartoons in animation history.
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Rest In Peace to Mr. Stephen Hillenburg for creating the show that had the biggest impact on me and my childhood, as well as a lot of my current sense of humour. You’ll be missed dearly
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cannot explain how much this silly little cartoon has played in my life. The original characters, the beautiful background artwork, and lighthearted songs. Thank you so much Stephen Hillenburg , may you rest in peace
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rest easy hillenburg, thanks for the laughs
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R.I.P stephen hillenburg , We will miss you
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What a sad news. Stephen Hillenburg The Creator of Spongebob has died with 57. #Spongebob was our king of the crown of TV show in earlier days on Nickelodeon. it‘s real unfortunate that #SpongeBob is being changed the rest of the show after on 3 Season but he was our Childhood.
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SpongeBob Squarepants was my favorite cartoon in my childhoold. I´m really sad now, i don´t know how to explain my feelings with works so… thank u so much Steve
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Thank you Stephen Hillenburg
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SpongeBob made me so bright, made me so happy. You have brighten my childhood and adulthood, I still watch and love SpongeBob till now. 
May you have rest in peace, Stephan Hillenburg.
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Goodnight, Sweet Prince
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Au revoir, Mr. Hillenburg. Your love-able creations changed the world for the better. Thank you for all the laughter! .
Favorite moments or episodes anyone? “Pizza Delivery” has always been mine. 🙂
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Rest in Peace
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R.I.P. Stephen Hillenburg, creator of one of the most imaginative, fun, innocent and brilliant worlds that no one with a sliver of an imagination could ever grow out of
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BOBBY (dedicated to Stephen Hillenburg)
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Been a sad couple of weeks right after stan lee another legend from our childhood has passed may they never be forgotten.
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“It was his hat, Mr. Krabs! He was number one!” Rest in awesome, Mr. Hillenburg. Thank you for introducing the world to the silliness of Spongebob Squarepants while being able to share your love of marine sciences with everyone. You truly made your mark in the animation world.
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Rest in Peace, Stephen Hillenburg
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RIP Stephen Hillenburg, SpongeBob Squarepants’ creator
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RIP to the guy who created my favorite show. HE WAS NUMBER 1!
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I’ve always wanted to live in a pineapple under the sea 
RIP Stephen Hillenburg
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I dedicate this sketch to Stephen Hillenburg, the creator of Spongebob Squarepants. Sponge has been a big part of my life, and it’s quirkiness definitely was one of my biggest inspirations which drove me towards my animation career. As much as I hate yellow, his little yellow guy always put a smile on my face. I hope Poseidon treats you well in Atlantis!!!
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RIP Stephen Hillenburg
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RIP Stephen Hillenburg. You gave me a lot of enjoyment through your work, and you kickstarted my desire to begin exploring cartooning when I was seven years old. This has morphed into the various types of artwork I do now!
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Que descanse en paz 
su programa hizo feliz a millones , y a pesar que su creador ya no esté en este mundo , su creación vivirá por siempre haciendo felices a generaciones futuras.
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Stephen Hillenburg, the man behind the popular cartoon character, SpongeBob Squarepants, has died at the age of 57
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I decided to make this little homage to Stephen Hillenburg. Thanks for making part of my childhood. May he rest in peace…
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this kitchen’s not the same without u :’c
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Thank you for showing us it’s okay to be yourself. Even if you are just a kid, or a goofball, or a wing nut, or a Knucklehead McSpazatron.
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Goodbye father 
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I am extremely sad about the news of Sponge Bob creator Stephen Hillenburg passing away. Sponge Bob has existed since I was a baby and it was a huge part of my childhood, It is also a huge part of my life and even a part of myself and who I am today. The reason why I’m studding animation is this show, and I will always be infinitely thankful for the huge creativity and beautiful humor of Stephen Hillenburg. 
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R.I.P Stephen Hillenburg spongebob was such a big part of my childhood. i’ve had a rough life but spongebob always cheers me up and i would watch it every day as a kid. even if i haven’t watched it in a while, it still holds a special place in my heart. it’s helped me through depression, anxiety, and even suicidal thoughts. i’ve seen all of the original episodes at LEAST 8 times. thank you for the memories, Stephen Hillenburg.
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“It was his hat, Mr. Krabs! He was number one!” Rest in awesome, Mr. Hillenburg. Thank you for introducing the world to the silliness of Spongebob Squarepants while being able to share your love of marine sciences with everyone. You truly made your mark in the animation world.
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Stephen Hillenburg
1961.8.21-2018.11.26
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Thank you, Stephen. Rest in peace.
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Otro creador menos
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RIP Stephen Hillenburg… your show was a part of my childhood and countless others. I always thought Spongebob was hard to draw so I hope I did him justice 
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thank you for my childhood. Stephen Mcdannell Hillenburg 1961-2018
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I don’t know how to reshare properly so screenshot will have to do. Love this tribute my daughter made for Stephen Hillenburg. I’m so sad he’s gone so young.
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See you on the other side… RIP
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R.I.P
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The man who made the sponge really work, I’ll say. It was a sad day to say the least. A true innovator in the creative community passes away at 57, creator of beloved Spongebob Squarepants, Stephen Hillenburg will be truly missed. 
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Gracias por todos esas risas y momentos alegres que nos diste con
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R.I.P.
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Rest in peace Stephen Hillenburg the creator of Spongebob Squarepants.
1961- – 2018.
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Sad to hear
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“Tribute”
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Here’s a quick tribute to a legend! We lost another amazing creator this year, RIP Stephen Hillenburg. Thank you for sharing your imagination with us! I will get that Spongebob laugh down eventually!
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Hearing of Stephen Hillenburg’s passing is very tough; SpongeBob was an enormous part of my childhood – and I’m happy to say he’s an enormous part of my adulthood. Even beyond the jokes and genius “stupidity” of it all (of which there was never a short supply), SpongeBob taught me about friendship, imagination, kindness, and the importance of laughter. I owe my love for “Tiki Culture” and mid-century kitsch and style to Spongebob. It was all so much more than a silly sponge in a pineapple cooking up Krabby Patties – but even then, sometimes that was all I needed it to be.
Thank you, Stephen, for giving the world Bikini Bottom. You’ll be missed.
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Thank you for reminding me. As an artist, the importance of adding scientific evidence into my imagination.
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So sad to hear that Stephen Hillenburg passed away yesterday. If anyone watches my vlogs, you’ll know how much this cartoon has impacted my view of life and my journey. His legacy and creation will live on forever and ever
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I might not have followed the show much in its later years, but I don’t think anyone can deny that spongebob is one of the greatest cartoons of all time. If not, it’s certainly one of the most influential. Stephen Hillenburgs name will go down in the books alongside those like Walt Disney and Stan Lee for creating characters and stories that shaped generations. Your work won’t soon be forgotten.
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RIP to a straight legend 
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Today Spongebob Squarepants created (Stephen Hillenburg) passed, which is a little brutal for me bc that show held a very special place in my heart since I was very young. For this tribute I’ve chosen to use this same comic screenshot that everyone used for their Stan Lee tributes… I’d’ve used an appropriate thematic Spongebob funeral image, but there weren’t any funerals in Spongebob; Spongebob was a happy show, just a place of joy.
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Why are you leaving us so soon?
RIP
Stephen Hillenburg (1961-2018)
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feel free to share/repost my arts, but please credit me or tag me as well 
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Hoy nos despedimos de Stephen Hillenburg, el creador de Bob Esponja una persona que estuvo presente en muchas generaciones de niños, e incluso muchas de mis libretas estaban llenas de sus personajes. Buen viaje Stephen!
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It’s a sad day in Bikini Bottom, but tomorrow will be an awesome day at the Krusty Krab. Thanks for so many good times,
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Man I was so shocked when I heard that
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Rest In Peace
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“You know, if I were to die right now, in some sort of fiery explosion due to the carelessness of a friend, well that would just be Okay.” -Spongebob Squarepants.
RIP to Stephen Hillenburg. One of the founding fathers of my childhood.
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Just some fan art dedicated to a very awesome and talented artist. RIP Stephen Hillenburg.
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terima kasih sudah menghibur kami dengan kekonyolan mu 
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Stephen Hillenburg – creator of Spongebob Squarepants – passed away today. Thank you for brightening and inspiring so many lives!
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Spongebob is the reason I began doodling, I remember when I was in Kindergarten, I was sitting next to my friend and she was drawing a picture of Spongebob, I thought it looked absolutely incredible. Me, being the bitter show off that I was, wanted to draw a picture of Spongebob better than she did. So I started practicing. And here I am now.
The reason for my weird humor, inside jokes with my siblings and part of my drive to be a cartoonist is because of Stephen Hillenburg. So, thanks.
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RIP to the legend
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Spongebob is the reason I began doodling, I remember when I was in Kindergarten, I was sitting next to my friend and she was drawing a picture of Spongebob, I thought it looked absolutely incredible. Me, being the bitter show off that I was, wanted to draw a picture of Spongebob better than she did. So I started practicing. And here I am now.
The reason for my weird humor, inside jokes with my siblings and part of my drive to be a cartoonist is because of Stephen Hillenburg. So, thanks.
Image credits: sc_create
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RIP Stephen Hillenburg
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