Stephen Hillenburg, former Humboldt State student & SpongeBob creator, passes away at 57

ARCATA, Ca. (KIEM) – A Humboldt-educated marine biologist, and cartoonist passes away at 57.

Stephen hillenburg, the creator of “SpongeBob Squarepants”, and a Humboldt State alumni, died from ALS on Monday.

Hillenburg had a passion for the deep blue sea long before he created the Nickelodeon hit, graduating from Humboldt State in 1984, with a degree in Natural Resources Planning and Interpretation.

In the 1990’s, he worked on another childhood-classic, Rocko’s Modern Life, before going on to create the sponge that made millions laugh.

In a statement from Nickelodeon, they say Hillenburg’s “world of bikini bottom will long stand as a reminder of the value of optimism, friendship and the limitless power of imagination.”

Hillenburg and his wife Karen launched a scholarship program in September for Humboldt State marine science students. Humboldt State staff say “his love of marine biology lives on.”