Schulz's strip debuted in October 1950, long before the Internet was born. Each day, he entertained an estimated 355 million readers in 75 countries the "old-fashioned" way: with pen and paper.
The impression was lasting, and the Internet allowed fans to quickly post their thoughts this weekend on email, message boards and chat sites, as well as read tributes to the creator of "Peanuts." Schulz died last night in Santa Rosa, Calif., at age 77.
"I am so sad today at the loss of Charles Schulz," one woman wrote on a CNN message board. "He gave me Lucy (the strong woman); dear Charlie Brown, who made us feel better about ourselves; and Snoopy, who proved that there was always a way."
Added one man: "I can agree with the people who said the world becomes less than it was."
Another woman wrote: "My cats are named Snoopy, Lucy, and Charlie Brown. Thank you, Charles Schulz. You will be missed."
Many news sites and portals such as Yahoo posted special tributes to the "Peanuts" creator on their "front doors"--Internet-speak for the Web equivalent of a front page. WebTV users were told of the news when they logged on to the service.
The "official Peanuts" Web site, at Snoopy.com, was updated on the weekend to carry an obituary of the revered cartoonist.
Schulz died a day before newspapers carried his final "Peanuts" cartoon in today's editions, something that was not lost on many readers.
"Perhaps like most parents, he couldn't bear to outlive his children," ABCNews.com said in its report.
