On November 26, 2018, Stephen Hillenburg, beloved animator, writer, director, and producer, passed away at the age of 57. Stephen Hillenburg was born in Lawton, Oklahoma on August 21, 1961. He graduated from Humboldt State University in 1984 with a bachelor’s degree in Natural Resource Planning and Interpretation and later went on to teach marine biology at the Orange County Marine Institute, where his love for sea life was born. He attended the California Institute of the Arts, where he earned his master's degree in animation in 1992. Stephen Hillenburg is fondly remembered for creating the beloved Nickelodeon cartoon, SpongeBob SquarePants. The cartoon aired in 1999 and has since spawned books, movies, and other merchandise and remains a pop culture icon to this day. Stephen Hillenburg was awarded multiple Emmy Awards during his career, and in 2015 he was honored with a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame. Stephen Hillenburg will be remembered and honored dearly by his family and friends. His legacy as an animator and creator of SpongeBob SquarePants will remain cherished by all.