Charles Schulz anunciou sua aposentadoria dia 14 de dezembro de 1999, algumas semanas depois de descobrir um câncer no intestino. O Letters of Note publicou hoje a carta em que o cartunista anuncia sua saída de Peanuts e se despede dos leitores. Ele morreu dois meses depois, em fevereiro de 2000.
Dear Readers, Colleagues, Fellow Cartoonists and Friends near and far:
I have always wanted to be a cartoonist, and I feel very blessed to have been able to do what I love for almost 50 years. That all of you have embraced Snoopy, Charlie Brown, Lucy and Linus and all the other PEANUTS characters has been a constant motivation for me.
It is important for me to tell you personally that I have decided to retire from drawing the PEANUTS comic strip, after the daily release of Monday, January 3rd, 2000 (and Sunday release of February 13th), in order to concentrate on my treatment for and recuperation from colon cancer. Although I feel better following my recent surgery, I want to focus on my health and my family without the worry of a daily deadline.
Thank you for your kindness and support over the years and for the outpouring of good wishes since my surgery.
Sincerely,
Charles M. Schulz
E a última tira de Peanuts assinada pelo Schulz:
Amor <3