Manfred Albrecht Freiherr von Richthofen (May 2, 1892 – April 21, 1918)

Baron Von Richthofen is best known as “The Red Baron”, a German
fighter pilot with the Imperial German Army Air Service during World 
War I. He is considered the top ace of that war, being officially
credited with 80 air combat victories, more than any other pilot.

He remains quite possibly the most widely-known fighter pilot of all 
time, and has been the subject of many books and films. 

Snoopy’s imaginary battles against the Red Baron began in the comic
strip in October 1965.

 
           
               John Herbert Frid (December 2, 1924 – April 13, 2012)

Jonathan Frid, best remembered for portraying vampire Barnabas Collins in the ABC
television series Dark Shadows (1966-1971), died Friday, April 13 of natural causes
at a hospital in his hometown of Hamilton, Ontario, Canada.

Spinach growers in Crystal City, Texas, erected a statue to honor E.C. Segar 
and his comic strip character Popeye for their positive influence on America’s
eating habits, making Popeye the first cartoon character to be immortalized in
public sculpture. 

E.C. Segar

Hank Ketcham and his son Dennis

 
      
Henry (Hank) King Ketcham  (March 14, 1920 – June 1, 2001)

Hank Ketcham created the Dennis the Menace comic strip, which he both
wrote and drew from 1951 to 1994, when he retired from working with the
daily cartoon and took up painting full time in his studio. Ketcham, who
was born in Seattle, Washington, received the Reuben Award for the
strip, which continues in the hands of capable artists today.