The Honolulu Star-Advertiser reports that Dave Thorne, “‘the father’ and ‘the Jedi master’ of Hawaii cartooning” has passed away at the age of 82.
Thorne taught cartooning classes at the University of Hawaii for 23 years and also was an illustrator for the Department of Education for many years. He was active until last year, lecturing and drawing for children at a series of appearances at Hawaii libraries.
Thorne’s Sunday cartoon strip, “Thorney’s Zoo,” appeared in the Star-Bulletin and then the Honolulu Star-Advertiser from 2007 until last year.
Dave reached out to me via facebook about a month ago. I have never met him as he is in Hawaii and I am in Missouri.
He was very supportive and complimentary regarding my strip,”The Wages of Sin!”
He asked me to e-mail him privately which I did. He sent me a short e-mail expressing that me might have some tips to help me find syndication. Naturally I was all ears but at the time I didn’t know he was ill. Sadly, Dave passed away before we could have any further discussion. I’ll never get to hear is ideas but Dave helped me in ways he probably wasn’t aware of.
Just the fact the a pro like Dave reached out to me and thought my work had merit has done more for my resolve then just about anything short of an actual syndication contract.
I never met Dave but he had a profound effect on me. I’ll try to pay it forward.
Thanks Dave, R.I.P.