John Culhane - R.I.P.

I just found out from the Disney Animation Research Library page on Facebook of the passing of author John Culhane.

"We are saddened to learn today of the passing of animation historian, author, and instructor John Culhane. John, the cousin of animator Shamus Culhane, had been caricatured twice in Disney Animation features: as 'Mr. Snoops' in 1977's THE RESCUERS, and as the put-upon dreamer (named 'John' in the production notes and materials) in the "Rhapsody in Blue" sequence of FANTASIA/2000. Our condolences go out to his family, friends, and colleagues."

 I got the chance to meet Mr. Culhane in August of 1999 at my first Disney Institute Animation Event. He was the host of the Q&A's before they screened one of the classic Disney films. He had such a love for animation and it showed. After one of the shows I stopped him outside the theater and asked for a picture and an autograph.

He is the cousin of Disney animator Shamus Culhane. His book "Animation: From Script to Screen" was THE FIRST book I remember reading on the craft of animation from cover to cover. It is THE BOOK that started my love for the art of animation.