Popsugar Entertainment Stephen Hillenburg Spongebob Squarepants Memes For Stephen Hillenburg's Death Fans Honour Spongebob Squarepants Creator Stephen Hillenburg With Sweet Meme Tributes 28 November 2018 by Mekishana Pierre Image Source: Getty / Junko Kimura SpongeBob SquarePants fans of all ages came together on Tuesday to celebrate the life and legacy of the show's creator, Stephen Hillenburg. The animator died at age 57 on Monday following a battle with ALS, which he had been diagnosed with in March 2017. Nickelodeon, where SpongeBob has aired since May 1999, released a statement calling Hillenburg a "beloved friend and long-time partner" to everyone at the network. "Steve imbued SpongeBob SquarePants with a unique sense of humour and innocence that has brought joy to generations of kids and families everywhere," the network said. "His utterly original characters and the world of Bikini Bottom will long stand as a reminder of the value of optimism, friendship, and the limitless power of imagination." It didn't take long for tributes for Hillenburg to pour in from coworkers, guest stars, and fans alike. People from all corners of the internet shared their favourite episodes, unforgettable moments, or — of course — their favourite memes featuring Hillenburg's lovable sea sponge. Read on to see some of the sweetest tributes in honour of the cartoonist's memory, and always remember, "We're all Goofy Goobers." Related: 63 Celebrities We Had to Say Goodbye to in 2018 Wow what a unique and fantastic character Steve created! It was my pleasure and honor to be in SpongeBob The Movie and to share some great laughs with this gentleman, Shocking Loss! To this day I am stopped and flattered by people and kids who have seen me in the film.#SpongeBob pic.twitter.com/gNF1CkJk69— David Hasselhoff (@DavidHasselhoff) November 27, 2018 1 / 23 I first discovered SPONGEBOB through my sons, who were loudly singing along with the dopey & memorable theme song downstairs. I came down to see what the ruckus was about and ended up watching my first episode. Many laughs. Many thanks, Steve Hillenburg. May you Rest In Peace. pic.twitter.com/3VNsxYJVXq— Brad Bird (@BradBirdA113) November 27, 2018 2 / 23 Without #Spongebob, we wouldn't have been able to enjoy these memesRIP Stephen Hillenburg pic.twitter.com/0QBCr46fmX— philip lewis (@Phil_Lewis_) November 27, 2018 3 / 23 Forever grateful for this #Spongebob moment pic.twitter.com/CpJDco6GQd— ❄️Kayla Ava Maria❄️ (@Maria_Giesela) November 27, 2018 4 / 23 Rest In Peace to Mr. Stephen Hillenburg for creating the show that had the biggest impact on me and my childhood, as well as a lot of my current sense of humour. You’ll be missed dearly. #StephenHillenburg #SpongeBob pic.twitter.com/A4Sw4iU4J8— Im a goofy goober #RIPStephenHillenburg (@Simon8217) November 27, 2018 5 / 23 The world lost one of its best and most important men today. I write this after walking into my home in tears over the passing of a man that filled my lonely, bleak childhood with a form of joy. Thank you, Stephen Hillenburg, for everything. May Neptune embrace you. #SpongeBob pic.twitter.com/qp23J9takB— Ambi (@Ambi_tionist) November 27, 2018 6 / 23 RIP #SpongeBob Squarepants creator Stephen Hillenburg. You're work gave me so many good times! Many things I do is based on it as well. My heart goes out to his family. pic.twitter.com/pGA8QTFDTe— shadow759 (@shadow7591) November 27, 2018 7 / 23 In honor of Stephen Hillenburg, Imma share with you all my favorite moment in Spongebob. I remember watching this as a kid and falling over laughing. Heck it's still hilarious to this day pic.twitter.com/Q1NAOL3AHs— Saberspark (@Saberspark) November 27, 2018 8 / 23 I still think Band Geeks is a perfect 11 minutes of comedy writing. #SpongeBobSquarePants pic.twitter.com/idW6EVYpzC— 🏳️🌈Retro: Holidazed Enthusiast🏳️🌈 (@ThatRetro) November 27, 2018 9 / 23 RIP Stephen Hillenburg! Our childhood owes a whole lot to you! The best cartoon ever! #SpongeBobSquarePants pic.twitter.com/c225u9FACh— Aniket (@SweeperKeeperMN) November 27, 2018 10 / 23 The toons of my teens and the memes of my twenties. Thanks for the giggles Spongebob. RIP Stephen Hillenburg pic.twitter.com/5xyj4PHDBz— Stephanie Walton (@stephaniewalt0n) November 27, 2018 11 / 23 Jellyfish Jam was my all time favorite Spongebob episode, this clip from it isn't particularly funny, but the way it ended showcases the optimistic, fun spirit of Spongebob that I love so much. pic.twitter.com/AymwB0rBfC— shan murphy (@heyshanmurphy) November 27, 2018 12 / 23 At decadence last year I played the Spongebob theme song and EVERYONE sang along. I don't think I've ever smiled more. Whether you're black, white, brown, gay, straight, whatever. Spongebob was made for all of us. RIP Stephen Hillenburg. Your imagination will live forever. 🍍 pic.twitter.com/UqHU45jot9— PAZ (@pazpaz) November 27, 2018 13 / 23 "I'm a Goofy Goober, You're a Goofy Goober, yeah, We're all Goofy Goobers, yeah."Thank You Stephen Hillenburg, SpongeBob brought alot to joy to many people like me, SpongeBob will always be among my favorite characters, Rest in Peace. pic.twitter.com/S7ISvYRN4R— Betos Garcia (@eagc7) November 27, 2018 14 / 23 In honor of Hillenburg, I thought I'd share one of SpongeBob's most poignant scenes, and my favorite one of the show. It comes from the episode Patrick SmartPants, and it perfectly captures how I felt upon hearing about Hillenburg's tragic passing. R.I.P Stephen Hillenburg ❤ pic.twitter.com/4EASydYuxg— The Flying BOWSER (@TheTrueLuigiFan) November 27, 2018 15 / 23 This is still my favorite Spongebob moment, and IMO remains one of he funniest jokes ever written pic.twitter.com/m3IgAEEW4h— Jill Gutowitz (@jillboard) November 27, 2018 16 / 23 Rest in Peace, Stephen Hillenburg pic.twitter.com/u9VzVcTVr4— Andrew Sings Holiday Blues (@AWDtwit) November 27, 2018 17 / 23 Some of my favorite childhood memories were SpongeBob:- performing at the Bubble Bowl.- selling chocolate.- delivering pizza with a less-than-enthusiastic Squidward.- meeting THE hash-slinging slasher.Thank you, Stephen Hillenburg.Bikini Bottom meant the world to me. pic.twitter.com/MCaQWXiwYx— Brian Gay (@brian2596) November 27, 2018 18 / 23 instead of being sad about Stephen, I'm going to post and laugh at my favorite Spongebob pic.twitter.com/QCFIDU4qdv— shan murphy (@heyshanmurphy) November 27, 2018 19 / 23 Still my all time favorite SpongeBob moment#ThankYouStephenHillenburg pic.twitter.com/TRibJPPbZn— Ice (@IceSeason101) November 27, 2018 20 / 23 one of my favorite spongebob moments, Patrick was so disrespectful LMAOOOO pic.twitter.com/h8z1REqsCD— 𝐩𝐫𝐚𝐧𝐜𝐞𝐫 𝐚𝐦𝐛𝐞𝐫 ♡ (@honeypacino) November 27, 2018 21 / 23 I've been seeing people going around honoring Stephen Hillenburg with their favorite Spongebob bits, and the one that never fails to kill me is the wallet scene with Man-ray. The first bit is funny enough but the punchline in the second bit gets me every single time. pic.twitter.com/GWtXRYWmpc— Michael Edwards (@MEdwardsVA) November 28, 2018 22 / 23 since we're all posting our favorite spongebob moments in honor of stephen, here's my favorite piece of obtuse humor from the entirety of the show pic.twitter.com/oPUQzoCq6X— Johnathan Jay Fortnite (@rodakscreens) November 28, 2018 23 / 23 Stephen HillenburgRIPTwitter ReactionsSpongeBob SquarePantsTV