Stepehen Hillenburg passed away early this morning in his Anaheim, California home. Hillenburg was found unresponsive. A few of his associates attempted to resuscitate him, realizing that he was seriously ill; they dialed 911. When paramedics arrived, Hillenberg was pronounced dead at the scene.
How Did Hillenburg Die?
Stephen Hillenburg, age 57, died of complications associated with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), a disease that has gotten large media attention recently (due to its increased frequency in sports players and others taking concussive hits to the head). ALS is characterized by degenerative damage to the brain which slowly eats away at the afflicted individual's ability to control themselves. Often it begins with emotional instability, then behavioral, and finally: physical.
As the disease progresses, it eats away at the essential functions necessary for life. This includes breathing, blood circulation, and other neurologically-induced regulatory processes. Eventually, ALS leads to coma and death. There is no cure for ALS, but research has been funded and science continues to unravel its mysteries day by day. Awareness campaigns such as the "ice bucket challenge" have done their part to promote ALS's growing significance to the public at large. Hillenburg was only one of the many unfortunate victims that die from ALS each year.
SpongeBob Squarepants
Hillenburg began his work with marine biology when he finished his Bachelor of Science at Humboldt State University in Arcata, California. It is rumored that Hillenburg learned about sponges, starfish, squids, sea snails, and crabs in college.
Stephen Hillenburg was once a marine biology professor at orange county marine institute in Dana Point, California. From there, he picked up a talent for cartoon development. He would later earn his MFA (Master of Fine Arts) at the California Institute of the Arts. Hillenburg rose to fame with his advent of the "SpongeBob SquarePants" series which kicked off on May 1, 1999.
From there, the series had grown to over ten seasons with over thirty episodes per season. The last episode of season ten aired just two days before Hillenburg's untimely and unfortunate death.
Is Hillenburg's Death The End Of SpongeBob?
In an interview given by Hillenburg acknowledging his waning influence on the SpongeBob project in mid-2017, he still acknowledged and pledged that he would continue to work on the project vigorously; even with his debilitating disease. Hillenburg, therefore, was influential on the project even in the last moments of his life.
However, this begs the question and the rise of conspiracy theories will now have to start covering the succession plan for the SpongeBob enterprise. Will it continue? Does it die with the creator? Speculations have surfaced as early as 2015 about the eventual demise of the show, but the re-instilled fervor in its development proved these rumors to be misleading. So, who will take Hillenburg's position?
Undoubtable, the successor would have to be a man close to Hillenburg throughout the years; albeit there is no clear successor that has been made public yet. While we all remain in mourning, we can ponder the question. We must, however, not fall privy to conspiracy theories. The possibility of the show's end is an extreme possibility; however, the cartoon has become an empire and is still making nickelodeon serious revenues.
Funeral Services
Funeral services will be held for Hillenburg within this month. Likely, a wake and remembrance will be conducted later this week. When questioned about their plans, his family failed to disclose their intentions.
We must remember Hillenburg as a man that created a show that defined a generation.
With his many escapades, he also contributed awareness and funds to marine wildlife conservation. Yes, Hillenburg was and will always remain an influential figure to those of us who grew up on his show; or had children that did so.
Thank you, Mr. Hillenburg, for your wonderful contributions.
We all wish him luck in the next life and may god have mercy on his soul.