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BORN
1942
DIED
2014
Tony Auth Obituary
Auth had worked for the past two years as the artist-in-residence at NewsWorks/WHYY, which announced his death.
"Tony Auth was a great cartoonist, a fine journalist and an even better friend," said Chris Satullo, WHYY's vice president for news and civic engagement. Satullo previously served as the Inquirer's editorial page editor, where he also worked with Auth.
Family members told the Inquirer that Auth had been battling brain cancer and recently went into hospice care.
Auth worked at the Inquirer for 41 years starting in 1971. He won the Pulitzer for editorial cartoons in 1976 and was a finalist twice after that.
"As a cartoonist, he was a gem - a journalist who could evoke reactions from readers ranging from anger and indignation to elation and illumination," said Inquirer Editor William K. Marimow.
In 2010, the Pulitzer board praised Auth's "masterful simplicity in expressing consistently fearless positions on national and local issues."
He left the Inquirer amid ownership turmoil in 2012 after having covered eight U.S. presidents and seven Philadelphia mayors.
Auth was born in Akron, Ohio, in 1942 and began drawing at age 5 while bedridden with an unspecified illness, according to a biography on his website.
He became a medical illustrator after earning a bachelor's degree in biological illustration from the University of California in Los Angeles in 1965. He began drawing political cartoons on the side for a weekly alternative publication and then for the Daily Bruin, UCLA's campus newspaper.
Auth also illustrated numerous children's books.
He is survived by his wife and two adult children.
Copyright © 2014 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
37 Entries
VIRGINIA LEAH KINTZ
January 19, 2023
Loved the artwork he did for the cover of our first issue of the Exchange Journal. Sorry to learn of his passing.
December 22, 2014
Tony Auth was truly an amazing person with so much talent the loss is clearly ours. Prayers fill our hearts and burst forth from our mouths to God asking him to let us remember clearly the love we have for this wonderful person gone from our lives never forgetting the joy we shared experiencing a great and authentic talent. (Hebrews 6:10).
December 18, 2014
I am so sorry for the recent loss in your family. He will certainly be missed. May the God of peace(Romans 15:33)be with your family during this difficult time. Please take care.
How you can show support
Joan Levine
October 11, 2014
Eliza
I have tried to email you via your website but I am it bounced back. I was so sad to learn Tony had died. I would very much like to speak with you if you have a moment. If either of the girls are in NYC I would like to be a resource for them and I also had an idea for Topsy Turvey to talk about with you.
Sending condolences to you and the family, Joan
October 1, 2014
At times like these God can give you power beyond what is normal to help you during this difficult time.
2 Corinthians 4:7
Tom F.
September 30, 2014
Back in the late seventies, I was an aspiring editorial cartoonist with a portfolio of unpublished work that I wanted critiqued by an expert. I sent Tony Auth a letter hoping that he might spend a few minutes reviewing my cartoons, never seriously believing that I would get any response. However, he telephoned me within a few days and invited me to come to his office at the Inquirer.
A few minutes turned into a whole afternoon of Mr. Auth providing valuable insights and supportive comments. At some point during our meeting, he began sketching and after a couple of minutes handed me a caricature that he had done of me. Of course I had it framed, and proudly exhibit it in my house to this day.
Social work ,not editorial cartooning, became my career. Years later when I read that Mr. Auth was about to retire from the Inquirer. I sent him an email to wish him well and to thank him again for the time that he spent critiquing my cartoons decades ago. To my surprise he sent me a letter inviting me to his retirement party.
I always admired and respected Mr. Auth's brilliance at what he did, but I'll also remember him for the kindness and decency that he showed to me.
Please accept my sympathy at this sad time.
Matthew 6:9-10
September 29, 2014
Tony Auth enjoyed life which was very much illustrated in his work. Those who loved him and knew him well know this all too well. So just for a moment, imagine him in Paradise. Each morning, he awakes feeling rested and eager to begin his day. He has no aches or pains. Any infirmities he once had are gone. All his senses--sight, hearing, smell, touch, and taste function perfectly. His energy is abundant, his work is enjoyable, his friends are many, and all his worries are gone. Such will be the blessings he can enjoy under God's Kingdom. What a grand reunion that will be. Our deepest sympathy for your loss!
September 22, 2014
May your family take comfort knowing that your heavenly father is aware of the pain and sorrow you are going through.
Orlando
September 20, 2014
I admired Auth's way of expressing himself and his point of view though cartoons; projecting a sense of humor while telling the truth of reality... Life always throw curve balls and change our lives drastically. I'm really sorry that the family have to deal with the loss of a loved one, and that he had to battle with such circumstances. Please accept my sincerely sympathy and have into consideration that only our Heavenly Father can become a Strong Tower for those in distress and in tears. May He grant the family inner peace during this difficult times.
September 19, 2014
With Deepest Sympathy.
September 18, 2014
"Pleasant sayings are a honeycomb, Sweet to the soul and a healing to the bones."
Proverbs 16:24
September 18, 2014
"A gift is like a precious stone to its owner;
Everywhere he turns, it brings him success."
Proverbs 17:8
Wright
September 18, 2014
To the Auth family: Our prayers are with you, please draw close to God and he will draw close to you in the days ahead
Marci
September 18, 2014
May your hearts soon be filled with wonderful memories of joyful times together as you celebrate a life well lived - Ecc 7:1
September 18, 2014
We wish to express our condolences to the family and many friends. Our hope is that you receive the loving comfort that God provides to those experiencing a loss of a love one.
CP
September 18, 2014
Though we may die we can be made alive again by means of God's son Christ Jesus ... John 3:16. Please be comforted by the love that God shows us.
September 17, 2014
Bummer to loose a shining light.
Phil Acosta
September 17, 2014
I was Editor-in-Chief of our high school newspaper, "The Crusader", and Tony was our cartoonist. He created a comic strip called "Tubs" and I was always amazed at how easily he drew the characters and gave them life. He was always excited, funny and cheerful when he was drawing.
Kathleen
September 17, 2014
I loved Tony's sharp commentary cartoons. He spoke the truth. Oh how you will be missed Tony. From a follower.
Robert
September 17, 2014
The wonderful use of illustrations is a primary tool Jesus used to teach life giving messages to the masses. Tony was an illustrator in many genres of life. He know doubt embraced this fine art of telling an impactful story only the heart can see. Mat 13:34 Tony and his gift will be missed.
September 17, 2014
At times like these God can give you power beyond what is normal to help you during this difficult time.
2 Corinthians 4:7
September 16, 2014
On a Saturday in 1978-1979, Tony Auth spoke at my High School(Upper Merion). I was in charge of stage crew, so it was my duty to set up the PA system. I then had an opportunity to here Tony speak. He was a quite good speaker. He went though his live, how he trained as a medical illustrator, and end up as a cartoonist. After he was done he accidently left a cheap brown drinking glass at the podium. For 36 years I have kept this drinking glass as a souvenir of the one Pulitzer prize winner that I have met.
I went to college, grad school, and medical school. I even interned at Lankenau Hospital, in Wynnwood,PA. I am now an attending physician. But I have only met one Pulitzer prize winner.
I enjoyed his work greatly, and his sense of humor. One always can use a good laugh.
Tony touch a lot of people, may of which your family will never know. That day it including a kid working stage crew. We will all miss him. AMA
C H
September 16, 2014
My condolences to his family. I remember Tony drawing different cartoons and figures on our high school newspaper. Of course he graduated several years ahead of me. My prayers goes out to his family. CHH MCHS '63.
tina morgan
September 16, 2014
Please accept my condolences for your loss may these words bring comfort for the whole family at 1Corrinth 15:54 which says that DEATH WILL BE Swallow up forever I HOPE THESE promise of GOD WILL BRING the family a hope for the future and a calm heart now TINA LOS Angeles
September 16, 2014
May the God of the heavens be with you and grant you the strength you need now and the days that follow.
(Daniel 12:13) “But as for you, go on to the end. You will rest, but you will stand up for your lot at the end of the days.”
September 16, 2014
May God bless you and your family in this time of sorrow.
Glenda
September 16, 2014
I'm sorry for your loss. May the love of family and friends comfort you as you grieve, John 6:40.
September 16, 2014
May God comfort the family as they go through these trying times.
September 16, 2014
May Family and friends find comfort in knowing Almighty God care for you and will help you during this difficult times.
1 Peter5:6,7
Michael Kuczynski
September 15, 2014
When I was in graduate school and drawing cartoons for an alternative newspaper in Chapel Hill, NC, Mr. Auth met me, looked at my work, and gave me advice. He was kindly, unselfish, and honest--as in his his own drawings. His love of the truth comes through in everything he's done. I followed his work as a kid in Philly and have been doing so daily in New Orleans, where I now teach. I will miss his insights and extend all good wishes and condolences to his family. Like the truth he championed, Mr. Auth endures.
John Volk
September 15, 2014
Tony, I have been a huge fan since the 1970's. You will live forever in ink. God Bless & RIP
September 15, 2014
Condolence to the family and friends of the deceased.May you be drawn to the God of all creation,and may you be the recipient of his mercy.Matt.5:4 shows how our heavenly Father feel about us...nc
September 15, 2014
May God bless you and your family in this time of sorrow.
September 15, 2014
I offer my sincerest condolences to the family. "... may the God who supplies endurance and comfort" be with you, and help you to endure this troubling time. (Romans 15:5)
Wilson
September 15, 2014
My condolences to family and friends of Tony Auth. May you cherish the memories. The drawing close to God gives comfort and peace.
September 15, 2014
I'm sorry to hear of the loss of your dear family member. May God be with you during this time!
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