I came to Cul De Sac late in the game. I might have even missed this page ever showing new stuff. Still it’s my favorite strip and of the many strips and web comics I follow, Cul De Sac is always the first one I go to every day. It’s subversive, all american, wry, silly, sarcastic, joyful, etc, and everything you want real life to be. Thank you, Mister Thompson, for daily joy for so long. You will be missed…
Richard was a true genius. one of the few to capture the nuances of early and late childhood thinking, and a wonderful artist whose drawing style was faultless and more than gave justice to his brilliant ideas. In my book his name is up there with the best of them – Charles Schulz (1922-2000), Bill Watterson (1958-), Jean Roba (1936-2006) and Richard Thompson (1957-2016)
my condolences to Alice and pete, mom and dad, Dill, Andre, Sophie, miss Bliss and the rest of the crowd
Miss Bliss is talking to college drama students. Unfortunately, her students are preschoolers. She is so lucky to have Alice as her translator (only slightly tongue-in-cheek).(Note regarding the blog: My undergraduate school is in D.C., and has a pretty good drama department, to which I was very close back in the day, though not a major, and where more recently Amy, Richard’s wife, got a graduate degree.)
I said farewell to Mr. Thompson in postings here and on that social networking site yesterday, but let me say again, rest in peace, Richard. You were such a great treasure!
Thank you for the wonderful stories and drawings you left us. We will treasure them forever. You were an inspiration and gave us such a unique perspective on childhood and family.
Aw, man! I was (selfishly) hoping against hope that there would be a Parkinson’s breakthrough and Richard would recover enough to begin drawing the strip again. I had also hoped (less selfishly) that he visited the GoComics site and read the glowing comments that people tended to leave about Cul de Sac.R.I.P., Richard – yours ranked among the best strips of all time. It’s a sad, sad loss.MABRNDT: PLEASE KEEP PROVIDING LINKS TO HIS BLOG, though!
A brilliant artist with an always amusing, accurate view of children and life. I will keep subscribing to, re-reading, treasuring, and sharing his strips. I am so grateful for the work of this man of amazing insight and talent.
Richard Church Thompson was born Oct. 8, 1957, in Baltimore, spent much of his childhood in Gaithersburg, Md., and studied art at Montgomery College in Rockville, Md.
He is survived by his wife, Amy Thompson of Arlington, Va.; his daughters Emma and Charlotte, who both attend Virginia Commonwealth University; his father, Richard Thompson of Rockville; and brother Tim Thompson of Rockville. His mother, Anne Whitt Thompson, died in 1996.
The family asks that in lieu of flowers, a donation be made to the Michael J. Fox Foundation for Parkinson’s Research, either directly or through Team Cul de Sac.
I was fortunate enough to be a Washington Post subscriber and enjoyed his illustrations, Richard’s Poor Almanac in the Sunday Post magazine and Cul De Sac. He provided a touchstone to childhood that very few achieve. Condolences to those he loved and those who loved him.
Thank you for the link and for passing along the sad news about Richard’s death.The world just lost a great talent, but he has a legacy that will continue forever.Rest in peace, Mr. Thompson.
Just saw the news of Richard’s passing and felt a horrible and immediate sense of loss. And shock. Very sad that someone so talented had to go so young. Rest in peace, Mr. Thompson – and thanks for all the giggles.
Sisyphos – Your omment reminds me of observing that our pastor at the time could do more for the faith as a seminary professor than he as a pastor, his sermons were so high-flown.
Goodbye Richard, you will be so missed by so many. Thank you from the heart for so many good laughs. Only the best make art look easy and you were the best of the best.
I am so saddened to hear this news. Ever since I discovered Cul de Sac, also quite late in the game, this wonderful comic strip tickled my funny bone and touched my heart. Allow me to add my regrets to the rest of those so beautifully expressed here. RIP.
I’m laughing and crying simultaneously.I suggest that everyone recommend this strip on social media today.I always recommend it to fans of Calvin and Hobbes.Somewhere deep in my archive is my annotated (both his and mine) edition of the treasury. There is usually at least two favorites on each page, usually involving Alice. I’m glad his work endures here, and I thank him for making this jaded comics fan laugh out loud so often!
Accidentally deleted comment (used to be at the top), plus the P.S. at the end:This time, Richard’s blog entry covered the last 2 strips.The main reason, I started posting these blog links, was the hope that Richard might click them, hopefully triggering a good memory.But, with the news of his passing yesterday, ….R.I.P., Richard.P.S. I didn’t notice it before, but 5 years ago, when this originally ran, Richard posted a comment pointing to this blog entry (he usually didn’t point to blog entries in GC comments).
One of the greats. The strip will live forever. It’s one of the few that have truly touched my life. Love to Richard’s family and friends at this time.
Mr. Thompson, you will be greatly missed. There is another tribute on Sheldon (not sure if the same one is on gocomics today as it is further down my queue). http://www.sheldoncomics.com/
Templo S.U.D. over 8 years ago
Break some legs, kiddies! (Fare thee well, Mr. Thompson.)
Wilde Bill over 8 years ago
I like the Alice translation.
Ida No over 8 years ago
Goodby, Richard. Thanks for the memories.
Liverlips McCracken Premium Member over 8 years ago
Alice speaks educator-ese.
Downundergirl over 8 years ago
How sad. But his spirit lives on in Alice, Petey and all the rest.
Darth Stevious over 8 years ago
I came to Cul De Sac late in the game. I might have even missed this page ever showing new stuff. Still it’s my favorite strip and of the many strips and web comics I follow, Cul De Sac is always the first one I go to every day. It’s subversive, all american, wry, silly, sarcastic, joyful, etc, and everything you want real life to be. Thank you, Mister Thompson, for daily joy for so long. You will be missed…
Kristiaan over 8 years ago
Sad news. I always hoped, against all odds that he would recover. Alas.
tonypezzano over 8 years ago
So sad.
kevinc70 over 8 years ago
R.I.P. Mr. Thompson :(
Marko Fancovic over 8 years ago
Richard was a true genius. one of the few to capture the nuances of early and late childhood thinking, and a wonderful artist whose drawing style was faultless and more than gave justice to his brilliant ideas. In my book his name is up there with the best of them – Charles Schulz (1922-2000), Bill Watterson (1958-), Jean Roba (1936-2006) and Richard Thompson (1957-2016)
my condolences to Alice and pete, mom and dad, Dill, Andre, Sophie, miss Bliss and the rest of the crowd
Bob. over 8 years ago
See “Maria’s Day” for a tribute strip. http://www.gocomics.com/marias-day
Sisyphos over 8 years ago
Miss Bliss is talking to college drama students. Unfortunately, her students are preschoolers. She is so lucky to have Alice as her translator (only slightly tongue-in-cheek).(Note regarding the blog: My undergraduate school is in D.C., and has a pretty good drama department, to which I was very close back in the day, though not a major, and where more recently Amy, Richard’s wife, got a graduate degree.)
I said farewell to Mr. Thompson in postings here and on that social networking site yesterday, but let me say again, rest in peace, Richard. You were such a great treasure!
cdward over 8 years ago
Rest In Peace, Richard. You were the best.
Eric Mee Premium Member over 8 years ago
Thank you for the wonderful stories and drawings you left us. We will treasure them forever. You were an inspiration and gave us such a unique perspective on childhood and family.
sjp_30188 over 8 years ago
RIP Richard, Alice and Petey and the rest will live forever
GROG Premium Member over 8 years ago
There’s nothing like a captive audience.
fishbulb239 over 8 years ago
Aw, man! I was (selfishly) hoping against hope that there would be a Parkinson’s breakthrough and Richard would recover enough to begin drawing the strip again. I had also hoped (less selfishly) that he visited the GoComics site and read the glowing comments that people tended to leave about Cul de Sac.R.I.P., Richard – yours ranked among the best strips of all time. It’s a sad, sad loss.MABRNDT: PLEASE KEEP PROVIDING LINKS TO HIS BLOG, though!
uniquename over 8 years ago
Another tribute strip on The New Adventures of Queen Victoria:http://www.gocomics.com/thenewadventuresofqueenvictoria
WaitingMan over 8 years ago
Genius lives forever. A tear falls.
Plods with ...™ over 8 years ago
R.I.P.
Flossie Mud Duck over 8 years ago
Tears
kesting over 8 years ago
This is sad news indeed, what a wonderful man.
Perkycat over 8 years ago
Really sad! But what a great legacy he has left. I know my days are better after reading this comic. Today, though, reading with tears in my eyes.
Ruth C. Dickinson over 8 years ago
A brilliant artist with an always amusing, accurate view of children and life. I will keep subscribing to, re-reading, treasuring, and sharing his strips. I am so grateful for the work of this man of amazing insight and talent.
rpG Premium Member over 8 years ago
Richard Church Thompson was born Oct. 8, 1957, in Baltimore, spent much of his childhood in Gaithersburg, Md., and studied art at Montgomery College in Rockville, Md.
He is survived by his wife, Amy Thompson of Arlington, Va.; his daughters Emma and Charlotte, who both attend Virginia Commonwealth University; his father, Richard Thompson of Rockville; and brother Tim Thompson of Rockville. His mother, Anne Whitt Thompson, died in 1996.
The family asks that in lieu of flowers, a donation be made to the Michael J. Fox Foundation for Parkinson’s Research, either directly or through Team Cul de Sac.
I Go Pogo over 8 years ago
I was fortunate enough to be a Washington Post subscriber and enjoyed his illustrations, Richard’s Poor Almanac in the Sunday Post magazine and Cul De Sac. He provided a touchstone to childhood that very few achieve. Condolences to those he loved and those who loved him.
mike.churchward over 8 years ago
RIP Richard. Your characters will live in our hearts forever.
magicwalnut over 8 years ago
I missed the news until this morning….it’s way too early for me to be sitting here crying….
Ermine Notyours over 8 years ago
Also Dark Side of the Horse.
jamestipton222 over 8 years ago
Thanks, Richard
NWdryad over 8 years ago
Somehow I don’t think “dramaturgy” is in a 4-year old’s vocabulary….
OldestandWisest over 8 years ago
When someone like Mr. Thompson passes, far too soon, it makes me think that there is some truth in the old saying that only the good die young.
JP Steve Premium Member over 8 years ago
Sad news. Good bye, Mr. Thompson
J Quest over 8 years ago
Thank you for the link and for passing along the sad news about Richard’s death.The world just lost a great talent, but he has a legacy that will continue forever.Rest in peace, Mr. Thompson.
Bronkster Premium Member over 8 years ago
Just saw the news of Richard’s passing and felt a horrible and immediate sense of loss. And shock. Very sad that someone so talented had to go so young. Rest in peace, Mr. Thompson – and thanks for all the giggles.
gcarlson over 8 years ago
Sisyphos – Your omment reminds me of observing that our pastor at the time could do more for the faith as a seminary professor than he as a pastor, his sermons were so high-flown.
Prayers for Richard’s family.
6turtle9 over 8 years ago
Thank you Richard Thompson for making this life a little more enjoyable; wishing you Godspeed.
Elizabeth Wieland Premium Member over 8 years ago
Thank you, Mr. Thompson, for bringing laughter and joy into a world that seems more and more at odds with itself. You will be missed.
robinegg over 8 years ago
Goodbye Richard, you will be so missed by so many. Thank you from the heart for so many good laughs. Only the best make art look easy and you were the best of the best.
Maizing over 8 years ago
@ mabrndtThat is sad news. Thanks for the links.
erin.adamic Premium Member over 8 years ago
I am so saddened to hear this news. Ever since I discovered Cul de Sac, also quite late in the game, this wonderful comic strip tickled my funny bone and touched my heart. Allow me to add my regrets to the rest of those so beautifully expressed here. RIP.
craigwestlake over 8 years ago
Farewell, Richard, in that blessed land to which you go – and thank you for the memories you have left behind.
TWAdair over 8 years ago
I’m laughing and crying simultaneously.I suggest that everyone recommend this strip on social media today.I always recommend it to fans of Calvin and Hobbes.Somewhere deep in my archive is my annotated (both his and mine) edition of the treasury. There is usually at least two favorites on each page, usually involving Alice. I’m glad his work endures here, and I thank him for making this jaded comics fan laugh out loud so often!
sterling3 Premium Member over 8 years ago
Gutted. RIP.
Frosted Donut Premium Member over 8 years ago
RIP Richard, and thanks for all the many wondeful comics you created.
Allan Mahnke Premium Member over 8 years ago
Thank you! You have made all of our lives a bit brighter. You will not be forgotten!
MajorPlowshares over 8 years ago
Sniff, sigh
RWill over 8 years ago
RIP Richard Thompson. Thank you for the laughs.
up2trixx over 8 years ago
RIP Richard. Your strip was truly one of the great ones
mabrndt Premium Member over 8 years ago
Accidentally deleted comment (used to be at the top), plus the P.S. at the end:This time, Richard’s blog entry covered the last 2 strips.The main reason, I started posting these blog links, was the hope that Richard might click them, hopefully triggering a good memory.But, with the news of his passing yesterday, ….R.I.P., Richard.P.S. I didn’t notice it before, but 5 years ago, when this originally ran, Richard posted a comment pointing to this blog entry (he usually didn’t point to blog entries in GC comments).
No-Face (カオナシ) over 8 years ago
One of the greats. The strip will live forever. It’s one of the few that have truly touched my life. Love to Richard’s family and friends at this time.
gooddavid over 8 years ago
Adios sir. You were indeed good.
bajacalla Premium Member over 8 years ago
very sad news :(
Ida No over 8 years ago
Sheldon has a nice tribute, too.
Saucy1121 Premium Member over 8 years ago
Mr. Thompson, you will be greatly missed. There is another tribute on Sheldon (not sure if the same one is on gocomics today as it is further down my queue). http://www.sheldoncomics.com/
BenPanced over 8 years ago
I just heard the news. 2016 continues to be cruel.
Zepp Jamieson over 8 years ago
New Adventures of Queen Victoria noted his death in a very classy way today.
water_moon over 8 years ago
sad to know there’s never another chance for a little more from him, he will be missed