Cartoonists Honor Schulz in Print--and in Ceremony

The rest of the world knew him, rather formally, as Charles M. Schulz. But to his many friends, the late creator of Charlie Brown and Snoopy was simply “Sparky.”

Those friends, many of them fellow cartoonists, celebrated Sparky’s 50 years in the funnies business Saturday by running Schulz-themed cartoons in the nation’s newspapers. More than 80 strips--everything from “Alley Oop” to “Ziggy”--paid homage to “Peanuts.”

On Saturday night, 600 members of the National Cartoonists Society and guests honored Schulz posthumously with the Milton Caniff Lifetime Achievement Award. His widow, Jeannie, accepted the organization’s highest honor during the black-tie event.

“Sparky had hoped for all of his life that he would receive this award and had hoped he would be here for it, and in many ways, I think he is,” she said to a standing ovation.

Patrick McDonald, who created the cartoon called “Mutts,” presented the award to Schulz’s wife.

“Lets get the record straight right now,” McDonald said. “Charles Schulz was the greatest cartoonist who ever lived.”

Bil Keane, master of ceremonies who created “Family Circus,” added, “This was a small tribute to an icon we all considered a dear friend for decades.”