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Stan Berenstain
Stan Berenstain
Obituary
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Stan Berenstain Obituary
He was 82 and lived in Bucks County in suburban Philadelphia. He died in Pennsylvania on Saturday, said Audra Boltion, a spokeswoman for HarperCollins Children's Books in New York.
In more than 200 books, the Berenstain Bears, written and illustrated by Stan and Jan Berenstain, helped children for 40 years cope with trips to the dentist, new babies in the family, eating junk food and cleaning th eir messy rooms.
The first Berenstain Bears book, "The Big Honey Hunt," was published in 1962. The couple developed the series with children's author Theodor Geisel - better known as Dr. Seuss, then head of children's publishing at Random House - with the goal of teaching children to read while entertaining them.
The books aimed to show children - and their parents - how to deal with a long list of childhood challenges, from finding ways to share and watch less TV, to overcoming the "gimmies" and not succumbing to the "in-crowd."
Despite changes in society in the last four decades, little has changed in "Bears Country."
"Kids still tell fibs and they mess up their rooms and they still throw tantrums in the supermarket," Stan Berenstain told The Associated Press in 2002. "Nobody gets shot. No violence. There are problems, but they're the kind of typical family problems everyone goes through."
Stan and Jan Berenstain began drawing toge ther when they met at Philadelphia Museum School of Industrial Art in 1941.
The two married soon after he got out of World War II-era Army service and began submitting cartoons to magazines. They became contributors to The Saturday Evening Post, McCalls and Collier's.
In their early years of collaboration, the couple wrote the "All in the Family" cartoon series for McCall's and Good Housekeeping. In 1962, they began an association with Geisel, who suggested that they write for children.
In later years, their sons Leo and Michael joined them at writing and illustrating, and many of the recent books are credited collectively to "The Berenstains."
The characters are the subject of their own public television program, DVDs and a Christmas musical.
In addition to his wife, Berenstain is survived by his two sons. A private memorial service was scheduled for Wednesday.
Copyright © 2005 The Associated Press
1082 Entries
Aaron Orangee
November 28, 2018
To the family of Stan,
Stan brought much joy to.many children and families over the years through his many fine books called Berenstein Bears and others. May the God of all true comfort add to yours at this time.
Sincerely,
Aaron Orange
Wesley Chapel, Fl
Chipsorange @aol.com
May 11, 2016
hi
January 9, 2015
Please accept my sincere condolences and sincere prayers that go out to the surviving family and friends. May the God of comfort continue to bless you and yours especially after such an untimely loss of a very precious life please accept my deepest sympathies. (2 Cor. 1:2, 3).
How you can show support
May 25, 2011
To the Family of Stan Berenstain: My condolences to in the lost of your loved one. No matter if it was yesterday or years ago, death is never normal. May you find comfort in the scripture of John 11:25.
michelle lowe
October 17, 2010
i grew up reading your books,and my children too thanks.you'll be missed my heart goes out to your family and friends.
peter prete
August 30, 2008
thank you so much, the look on my daughter's and son's face as i read to them before bed will always be with me....of all the bear stories, " The Spooky Old Tree" was their favorite, i know it by heart, i hope i am able to see the same look on my beautiful grandaughter's face, if and when i can read it to her
Heather Avery
July 5, 2008
My brother & I grew up reading & learning from your books. Thank you for giving us something worthwhile to grow up with.
Julie Bryant
May 22, 2008
Your Death was tragic. You Will be missed. All of my children have enjoyed growing up with your collection of books. Your talent was remarkable. As I am sure that every generation of young children will enjoy these wonderful books for years to come. God Bless you.
JACKIE MEDLEY
November 13, 2007
I raised all my daughters while reading your entire collection of books to them. I must know every one by heart. Godspeed.
savena green
October 18, 2007
heyah
JEWEL
June 15, 2007
What a mind! you are missed.
Laura Martyn
April 27, 2007
Wow, many, many people have been touched by a lifetime of efforts of both Stan and Jan Bearenstain. Your books have been so resourceful to me as a parent. Thank You.
Gail Petty
April 3, 2007
You gave us a happy place to be--no matter what! Thank you!!
Samaria A
July 15, 2006
I love all your books! I still read them to my little brother & family and to myself. I love them!!!
Robert Deveau
May 10, 2006
My children and I really enjoy reading and watching these excellent stories together.
Kris Walters
May 10, 2006
You will be greatly missed. Children of many generations to come will learn about you and pass on your legacy.
Barbara Ione
May 10, 2006
My condolences to the Berenstain family. Thank you for years of good books and lessons.
chanelle hamilton
May 10, 2006
thankyou for all the joy you have brang evryone with the programme berenstain bears my little 4 yr old sister LOVES it hehe enyway goodbye for now xx
Angelica
May 10, 2006
Please accept my deepest sympathies.
Sharon Hicks
May 9, 2006
I am A Kindergarten teacher and I have used The Berenstain Bears Books for 20 years. We also love the movies too! Thank you for giving children beautiful books with morals and a lesson.
alvin lane
May 9, 2006
thank you for all the joy you brought my children and myself
Wayne sands
May 8, 2006
Take comfort in knowing that now you have a special guardian angel to watch over you.
Noel Rendon
May 6, 2006
What great comfort these books brought my family after the passing of our first son Chanceollor. Now we have a health 4 yr old who loves to read the same books. May God bless you and your family at this time. Thank you so much for all the joy that you brought to so many!
Barbara O'Leary
May 5, 2006
My condolences to the Berenstain family for your loss. Thank you for providing my childhood with your books, which my son now enjoys.
Tracy Haines
May 5, 2006
my thoughts go out to the Berenstain family. As a pre school teacher my children and I thoroughly enjoy stans books. Stan left something great behind for his family to remember him by for many years to come!
Jobanna L.
May 3, 2006
May God bless you and your family in this time of sorrow.
Amy
May 3, 2006
Like so many others, I , too, loved the Berenstain Bears books as a child and young adult. I saved all of the books to someday read to my own children when I have a family. One of my favorite stories was The Berenstain Bears and the Messy Room, probably because I always had a messy room and would "clean" it by shoving everything into the closet. :)
Thank you, Mr. and Mrs. Berenstain, for all of the delightful stories from Bear Country! My thoughts are with your family as you celebrate Stan's life.
Paula
May 3, 2006
You will live on forever through your books and the happiness you bring out in children through your wonderful stories.
Andrea Shaw
May 2, 2006
I, as a child and as an adult, love Stans books. Now, my children enjoy them. What a legacy he has left.
Jenn Gallinger
May 2, 2006
A man who has truly affected the lives of millions of North American children and the adults they grew up to be. I still have my first Berenstain Bears book from over 25 years ago. It is now my sons favourite book. The messages are truly timeless.
Gail
May 2, 2006
Thank You! No words can express the passing of Stan. My thoughts are with you. My children & I enjoyed Your special gift.
Julie
May 2, 2006
I started reading your books when I was a little girl. I am a junior in college and becoming a teacher. I am now reading and teaching my students to read using your books.
rochelle daniel
May 2, 2006
i would like to say im very happy this man chose to be a writter because his imagination has made me and other children laugh and learn from the berenstain bears. R.I.P stan
zachary posthumus
May 2, 2006
I LIKE YOUR BOOKS.
gavin chamblee
May 1, 2006
I love your books ther are no other book in my life that I love GAVIN
ASHLEY EATON
May 1, 2006
i would like to say that i love your books and movies and RIP
(IM IN THE 6 GRADE )
Nancy Ralston
May 1, 2006
I started buying Berenstain Bear books for my own children when they were very young and now love to read them to my first grade classes every year. They love the Bears as much as I do. Thank you Stan and Jan for helping to promote reading and the knowledge of right from wrong to generations of students!
Reathea Woodburn
May 1, 2006
I am a first grade teacher and as I was reading "Grow It" to my class, one of my students told me that Stan Berenstain passed away. I was hoping that he was wrong but he wasn't.
I enjoyed reading all of the Berenstain books to my own children ages 26, 22, and 19. Now I get to read them to my students. I use many of the books to teach, to explain, and for shear enjoyment!
My thoughts and prayers go out to his family.
The stories will go on to entertain children (and grown-ups) for generations. Thank you!
bearlover
April 30, 2006
i want to express my condolences for this great loss. the berenstain books were my favorite books when i was younger and i recently found my old collection. Just seeing these amazing books brought back a flood of happy childhood memories that i will always have because of your books. You left me with an undeniable urge to read and write and for that, i will always be greatful.
Deena Johnson
April 29, 2006
I have read your books to my children for many years. Oldest 27, youngest 6. they have all enjoyed them. Thanks!
marysybel evangelista
April 29, 2006
since i was a kid I LOVE Berenstain Bears books that kept me going back to the library to read while waiting for my school bus...after more than 20 years being a mom of 2 and running my own daycare center here in the Philippines i had a collection of these books..with so much fun reading them to my kids and to all my young students...very interesting and valuable books to guide young emergent readers giving them moral lessons and good manners to learn..thanks Stan for we all know that you have had your share in imparting the "love of reading" to all the young learners of the world! from Sybel Evangelista Firstword Academe Marikina City, Philippines
Alyssa
April 28, 2006
I loved all your books that you had published..I read them when i was really little and i'm sometimes still into them..
Erick Roat
April 28, 2006
I grew up with my mother and father reading to me from the Berenstain Bear books. They were always wise, gentle, and full of fun. I am so thankful for Mr. Berenstain's work and life and look forward to sharing his books with my new child.
Kimberly Janson
April 27, 2006
I love to read The Berenstain Bears for my son at bed time.We have alot to do during the day and I make sure no matter what I'm doing that he gets to hear about brother and sister bears adventures.THANK YOU.
Linda Cockrill
April 26, 2006
When my now 26 year old daughter was a child, we could hardly wait to get a new Berenstain bears book!! What wonderful teachers they are for all sorts of issues: manners, being a good kid, etc. Absolutely love the books and will hopefully be buying them soon for a grandchild. Thank you so much!!
Marcy Peroo
April 26, 2006
I grew up reading the Berenstain Bear books and now I find myself reading them again, 20 years later, to my son. Thanks for teaching such great valuable lessons.
DIAMOND AGE 6
April 26, 2006
I LOVE YOUR BOOKS!
THANK YOU
Teresa Clay
April 25, 2006
The North County Regional Library Children's Department of Huntersville North Carolina, will always have a place for Stan,Jan and the Bears.
Darlene Howard
April 25, 2006
I know this great work of Stan Berenstain will live on. I read these books to my children and now I read them to my grandchildren. What a great gift he has left us.
Sagan Wildt
April 25, 2006
I've been reading Berenstain Bear books since I could read. This web page helps me now since I'm in high school in my senior year to do a Literacy Essay. It helps me, and I am sad to hear the Mr. Berenstain has passed. We will all miss him.
Julie Allen
April 24, 2006
My 10 year old daughter is doing a report on Mr. and Mrs. Berenstain. She was saddened to hear of Mr. Berenstain's passing but understands the gifts of the Berenstain Bears stories will live on. She reads the stories to her little brother and I'm sure they'll both be reading them to my grandchildren.
Blessings.
Adam Padilla
April 24, 2006
My condolences to the family of the late Stan Berenstain. Stan, I grew up reading your children's books (remember them vividly, including the wonderful illustration and character design of the bears) I am now a creative artist myself and hope that one day I will be able to touch minds and lives the way you have touched mine. Thank you, Mr. Berenstain... Your effects will be felt for a long time to come.
angie baldaia
April 24, 2006
Your show is the best children's show on tv...it shows great value to my child..he is 3 and we watch the berenstain bears 3 times a day...and there all the same episode..its just a amazing show for our family..sorry for your great loss...
Jules McKinney
April 22, 2006
When I was a child the Berenstain Bears' book was the first books that I read. Now I have a two year little girl who also love the Berenstain's bears. Mr. Stan Berenstain influence over millions of children and adults will never be forgotten. May He Rest In Peace.
Kristina Young
April 22, 2006
So sorry to hear of Stan's passing. He has truely left a gift for all the children, the highest of legacies. Thank you Stan!
alma & rhea sackaney
April 21, 2006
i enjoyed these books as a child. i was blessed with a little girl, and i re-enjoyed them by reading them to her...now that she can read...she reads them to me at bedtime...thanks so much for your creativity and bringing bedtime bonds into our life!!!
Laura Johnson
April 21, 2006
Every night before bed, and after brushing teeth, my sons (3 and 10) watch an episode or two of The Berenstain Bears. It's a great way to settle down and watch a show that actually has a moral to the story. Thank you so much for all the joy you've brought my children and myself. (I admit, I love to watch it each night too!) What a sad loss to the children of the world with the passing of Mr. Berenstain.
Amy Parker
April 21, 2006
Dear Stan, we really miss you, and we read your books a lot of the time.
Steve Anderson
April 21, 2006
Thank you so much for all your great books. We still read them together and watch the show every night. You will always be in our hearts. Your books are so, cool.
Joseph Logue
April 21, 2006
I love you and your books so much. You are an amazing author. R.I.P
Paula Clough
April 20, 2006
My little brother had problems learning to read. The Berenstain Bear books helped him find out that reading was interesting and fun. He became a more proficent reader. I used them with my own children and my Kindergarten students. They are a wonderful legacy that Mr. Berenstain has left for all children.
Brandi
April 20, 2006
My condolences, of course. Always loved the stories, and still do. I have two little ones now and they also absolutely love the stories. My prayers with the family.
Chasity Taylor
April 19, 2006
My condolences to the Berenstain family. I grew up reading the The Berenstain Bears since I was three, I am now 25. I have a 2 month old and will make sure she grows up learning about brother and sister bear.
Emily Alfred
April 19, 2006
I am just learning about your books. I think there are about 200 books that you have written. My favourite character is sister bear. At school, when we finish our work, our Teacher might let us on your games on the internet. Thank you for writing about such wonderful characters. I hope your family doesn't miss you too much.
Julie
April 18, 2006
God Bless Thankyou for all the wonderful stories
Deborah Casarella
April 18, 2006
I started reading your books to my daughter who is now 18 and I am still reading them to my youngest children ages 6 and 3. Your teachings and stories are delightful. We are very fortunate to have such heartwarming storytelling available. God bless your family.
Risha Que
April 18, 2006
I grew up reading your books. I think I read my first one when I was three. I'm 19 now, and I still love reading them. The Berenstain Bears have become a big part of my life. Thank you for sharing your values and ideals with us. Stan and Jan Berenstain will always be remembered (for me, they always go together).
I'm glad to know that he lived a long and happy life. I hope his legacy will live on in the next generation of readers. God bless your family. We feel your loss. People from as far away as the Philippines know and love you.
Daniel Jeffs
April 18, 2006
Thanks for entertaining millions of kids with your stories. Bears in the Night was the first book I ever read by myself. Your books will continue to encourage reading as we enter an age of TV. You will be missed.
jordan heffner
April 16, 2006
hey u were great
Tamika Gatewood
April 16, 2006
My deepest sympathy to the family. I have enjoyed Berenstain Bears since I was a little child and am now 41 years old. He will be sadly missed.
Hunter Bailey
April 16, 2006
I am sorry for your loss. I am six years old and Ireally like your books.
ruby fern
April 16, 2006
i love u 4 making a lovable show u ar the greatest i luv yur program + u 4 making it xxx
zackary neill
April 15, 2006
i really like the books you make! keep up the good work
Cindy
April 14, 2006
When I was growing up I loved the Berenstain Bears books. Now my young nephews love the books and can't get enough of them.
Sylvia Lau
April 14, 2006
Stan, I love watching The Berenstain Bears on television. i wish you were still here so you and Jan can write more books on The Berenstain Bears. My favourite one is The Berenstain Bears and the green-eyed monster!
Pri Param
April 13, 2006
Sorry to hear that our favourite author is no more. we as a family dad, brother, mom & me enojoys each and every book.
Dana Donahoe
April 13, 2006
My kids grew up with the Berenstain Bears! We had every one of the books! Thank you sooooo much!
The Donahoes
Hannah Smith
April 12, 2006
I loved your books.I wish you could make some more with Jan.My favorite book you made was the Berenstain Bears and too much junk food.I really wish you did't die.
Jennifer Hemmaway
April 12, 2006
From my family to yours, we send our deepest sympathies. Between your books and television programs, my children 4, 6 & 8 are thrilled every time Berenstain Bears are in the agenda. You helped to keep they're dreams alive and we wish you all the best for a continued happy future.
Melissa Toth
April 11, 2006
My son and I would like to extend our deepest sympathy to the family of Stan. I have used your books to help guide me in raising my son as a single mother. I would like to thank you for the beautiful lessons your books bring.
Christine
April 11, 2006
thanks so much for the great storys my little brother and i love the series we read a berenstain book all most every night.
Katie Nerney
April 11, 2006
I wish you didn't die.You wrote my favorite book series my favorite book is The
Bearensten Bears And To Much Birthday!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Terry Williams
April 11, 2006
I have memories in my pocket.
They rattle among the change.
My memories of you are treasures I carry wherever I go.
They are stored in bits and pieces, parts of a beautiful whole
They give me comfort when I think I am alone.
Yes, I have memories in my pocket, like so much other stuff I keep there.
But of all the treasures I have, it’s the memories of you that are the most precious.
Diane Mccarthy
April 11, 2006
My grandchildren an I have had many happy hours of reading,we just love all of his books.His books have touched many of hearts, young and old. We all are so forunate to have read his magical stories.Thank you, so much.His books will be read by many generations to come. Mr Berenstain's death is a great loss to us all.Iam truely sorry for your loss,he will be missed by all.My thoughts and prayers are with you in your time of grief. May your memories bring you comfort. God Bless you Jan...
Maryann Dunn
April 10, 2006
My family and I love the the Berenstain Bear books. My daughter wants her "bear" story every night before bed. When her baby brother was born all she wanted me to read was New Baby. Thank you so much. We are so sorry about your loss.
Claudia Guardado
April 9, 2006
I just want to say that I grew up reading these books and just loving these stories and now that I am a mom I have shared these books with my own children...Thank you for imagination.......
Sharon Padley
April 9, 2006
Many happy hours of reading. His stories have touched many children and adults, with their humour. The cry, "Can we read it again?" repeated over and over.
jessica black
April 9, 2006
I relly like your storys. They are my faorite books!!!!!!! I love sister.
Mrs. Erwine's Kindergarten class
April 9, 2006
Your books are wonderful. They teach us many things. You will always be a special author for us.
We love your stories. We will remember you forever.
valerie mcdowell
April 8, 2006
The teachers at the YMCA Child Care Center of Abingdon, MD loved having you as the author of the month for April. We love sharing all your books with our children. Thank You! so much.
Christine Covatto
April 7, 2006
My students and I enjoy reading all of your books. Your memory will live on for many generations.
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