[Audio] SpongeBob creator and HSU grad diagnosed with ALS; Humboldt’s Last Week of news

In the latest episode of Humboldt Last Week: Love and positive thoughts from the North Coast are being sent out to Stephen Hillenburg, an HSU graduate and the creator of “SpongeBob SquarePants.” According to his statement released by Variety the 55-year-old has been diagnosed with ALS. He intends to continue his work on the series for as long as he is able.

“My family and I are grateful for the outpouring of love and support,” reads the statement. “We ask that our sincere request for privacy be honored during this time.”

Stephen graduated from HSU in 1984 with a marine-science major and art minor. He pitched his show idea to Nickelodeon in 1996 and the series premiered in 1999. As of 2015 the Emmy award-winning show has generated over $12 billion in merchandising revenue for Nickelodeon, according to Bloomberg. Among other generous efforts his foundation United Plankton helped fund renovations to the HSU Marine Lab.

A few years back I interviewed Stephen about his experiences in Humboldt County.

“When I remember my time in Humboldt, I remember rain, Top Ramen, and the library,” he said. “I’m kidding, but the rain is significant because without it there would be no redwoods. Humboldt has incredibly rigorous science programs. It has dedicated teachers and students. Fortunately for me the school is not only surrounded by redwood forests, but it sits along an incredible part of the California coast. There are bays, estuaries, undeveloped coastline and open ocean and, of course, HSU utilizes the availability of these resources in their courses. One time my biology class went into the mountains to collect stream organisms. We were collecting insects in this tiny stream and under this rock we found a three-foot lamprey eel… I wouldn’t hesitate to recommend going (to HSU).”

In the audio more quotes from the interview with Stephen are shared. The story begins at 6:51.

ALS, or amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, is a terminal illness that affects nerve cells in the brain and the spinal cord. There is no cure but in some cases those that have it can live for a long time — Stephen Hawking was diagnosed with the same illness in 1963. Some may remember the viral “ALS Ice Bucket Challenge” which raised well over a hundred millions dollars for the ALS Association. “The Association builds hope and enhances quality of life while aggressively searching for new treatments and a cure,” according to their website.

Also covered: An airport update, a Humboldt-born TV dog, lighthouse leeway, the Sheriff on immigration, a puppy dropped from a bridge then adopted, court cases, school lock-downs, and much more.

Stephen Hillenburg

Photo: Anoop Kumar

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707ryda
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707ryda
7 years ago

Cool dude

Liz
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Liz
7 years ago

That would be difficult news to swallow. I wish him the best.

Ingrid Bailey
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Ingrid Bailey
7 years ago

The lighthouse with problems in Trinidad is the fisherman’s memorial lighthouse at the end of Trinity St., not the real, U.S. Coast guard aid to navigation lighthouse on Trinidad Head, which was built in 1871 and splashed by a really big wave over 100 years ago.

random reader
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random reader
7 years ago

Sad news. So much disease these days.
Interestingly, and controversial, but I have recently learned that there is an increasing amount of scientific evidence indicating that ALS, and many other diseases may be caused by the same Borrelia bacteria that cause Lyme disease.

Big Mike
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Big Mike
7 years ago
Reply to  random reader

Enough. Kudos to homeboy!!!! Humboldt people! Best wishes brother! I can’t imagine! Wish you nothing but love!!!! Come o
n people !!!! Be well brother. Thank you for hanging with us!!

Brent
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Brent
7 years ago

SpongeBob was/is a very subtle heckling of so many sacred cows this guy’s a genius. Sorry for his diagnosis same deal with my dad autoimmune disorder at 59 which was terminal. Hope be with you your spirit will guide you to peace.