Hometown fans say goodbye to 'Peanuts' creator Charles Schulz

Snoopy sits in a pew at Schulz's memorial service

Thousands attend service in Santa Rosa, California

February 21, 2000
Web posted at: 6:17 p.m. EST (2317 GMT)

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From staff and wire reports

SANTA ROSA, California (CNN) -- Charlie Brown may not have won the heart of the little red-headed girl, but his creator, "Peanuts" cartoonist Charles Schulz, was remembered lovingly Monday in Santa Rosa, California, the adopted hometown where he died earlier this month.

GALLERY The view from the Peanuts gallery     MESSAGE BOARD Remembering Charles M. Schulz

About 2,000 fans, friends and neighbors filled the Luther Burbank Center for the Arts to say goodbye to a treasured friend at a public memorial service. Those who couldn't get in watched outside on a large TV screen.

Schulz, 77, known to friends as Sparky, died in his sleep on February 12 following a three-month battle with colon cancer. He was with his wife, Jeanne, at their home in Santa Rosa, north of San Francisco.

As the memorial service opened, a chorus sang, "You're A Good Man, Charlie Brown," the title song from a "Peanuts"-based off-Broadway play that debuted in 1967.

"'Peanuts' made us realize that our emotions, frustrations, hopes and dreams are common to us all," eulogized Schulz friend Ed Anderson. "And as we pay tribute today to this good and humble man, let us remember that what made Sparky unique was his honesty, the strength of his character and the humor which he brought to his work and to his life."

Eldest son Monte Schulz saw his father's spirits sag as the artist battled illness and was forced to give up his beloved comic strip.

For the son, it was no coincidence that Schulz died the same weekend his last Sunday strip featuring Snoopy and the gang was published. "He just didn't seem all that willing and interested to fight the colon cancer," Monte Schulz said.

The diagnosis came in November. A month later, the cartoonist announced plans to retire "Peanuts."

In addition to his wife and son, Monte, Schulz is survived by another son, Craig; three daughters, Meredith Hodges, Amy Johnson and Jill Schulz Transki; two stepchildren and 18 grandchildren.

Schulz's final strip, which appeared on February 13, showed Snoopy at his typewriter and other "Peanuts" regulars along with a "Dear Friends" letter thanking readers for their support.

Musicians play the theme music from the play "You're a good man, Charlie Brown"

The last daily Peanuts strip was published on January 3.

Schulz had a clause in his contract dictating that no one else could draw "Peanuts." His last daily comic ran in early January, although old strips will continue to be published.

Fans and colleagues hailed Schulz as an irreplaceable artist whose work had become infused in American popular culture.

Schulz was born in Minneapolis on November 26, 1922, and was raised in St. Paul. He studied art after he saw a "Do you like to draw?" ad. He was drafted into the Army in 1943 and sent to the European theater, although he saw little combat.

After the war, he did lettering for a church comic book, taught art and sold cartoons to the Saturday Evening Post. His first feature, "Li'l Folks," was developed for the St. Paul Pioneer Press in 1947.

In 1950, it was sold to a syndicate, and "Peanuts" made its official debut in seven newspapers on October 2 of that year. Eventually, it ran in more than 2,600 newspapers in 75 countries.

Correspondent Don Knapp and The Associated Press contributed to this report.

Schulz's son: The last 'Peanuts' signaled the end for his father
February 16, 2000
'Peanuts' fans mourn death of creator Charles Schulz
February 13, 2000
Charles Schulz puts down his pen
January 3, 2000
Say it ain't so! Schulz to retire 'Peanuts'
December 14, 1999

The Santa Rosa Press Democrat Online
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