Schulz admirers say: 'We owe him an enormous debt'

By: Dave Astor Seeing "Peanuts" in the newspaper every day has been a security blanket for millions of fans ? including cartoonists, syndicate executives, and others in the features biz. Here are some of their comments about Charles "Sparky" Schulz and his comic:
Scott Adams, creator, "Dilbert," United Media:"Charles Schulz was the best. And he was the biggest influence of my life professionally. It's no accident that I have a cartoon with a loser who has a dog smarter than he is."
Daryl Cagle, president, National Cartoonists Society:"There aren't enough adjectives to describe the guy and what he's meant to the profession. He's beloved. He's helpful to aspiring cartoonists and an inspiration to all cartoonists."
Lucy Shelton Caswell, curator, Ohio State University Cartoon Research Library:"We owe him an enormous debt of gratitude for the joy and pleasure he's brought millions of readers around the world for almost 50 years."
Lynn Johnston, creator, "For Better or For Worse," United:"I just find it astounding that he's done his comic for 50 years without any help from anybody. That's a marathon. As a total body of work, it's unequaled. I think he should be so very proud of what he's done."
Jack Loftis, associate publisher and editor, Houston Chronicle:"The strip is a piece of Americana. It's an institution. Schulz himself is an icon ? and a very sweet man."
John McMeel, president, Universal Press Syndicate:"He has set the bar. Very few have reached it. ?When Sparky Schulz said no one else could do 'Peanuts,' that was because no one could come as close to perfection as he did."
Nancy Tew, editorial projects manager and comics editor, Los Angeles Times:"'Peanuts' is totally one of a kind. It can never be replaced. It hits all age demographics. And Sparky is a dear, wonderful individual."
Anita Tobias, vice president for U.S. syndication, Los Angeles Times Syndicate:"'Peanuts' is an absolute classic. There's hardly a cartoonist I've known who hasn't cited Charles Schulz as an inspiration. He's a lovely, kind, gracious gentleman. I've never seen anything quite like the media coverage his retirement is getting. It's a real tribute to the man and his work and how loved he is."
Glenda Winders, editorial director, Copley News Service:"I work closely with our cartoonists and I've never heard a bad remark about him. They all look up to him as the one who does it best and remains a gentleman as he does it."

(Editor & Publisher Web Site: http://www.mediainfo.com) [Caption]
(copyright: Editor & Publisher December 18, 1999) [Caption]