Last Wednesday on Aug. 26 in Westlake Village, CA, co-creator of the early 70’s hit TV show; Scooby-Doo, passed away at age 87 due to natural causes while surrounded by his family. 

Ruby had first started his career as a writer and creator working under Walt Disney productions before later going on to co-found the Ruby-Spears Productions company with the other co-founder, Ken Spears. Their company went on to produce many series such as Alvin and the Chipmunks (1983), Dragon’s Lair (1984), and of course, Scooby-Doo, Where are You? (1969). 

After 19 years of running, the Ruby-Spears Production studio closed and was handed off to Warner Bros., who still stream some of their shows on cable to this day. “Scooby-Doo has been a beloved companion on screens for more than 50 years, leaving an enduring legacy that has inspired and entertained generations,” Acting President of the Warner Bros., Sam Register said. “Ruby made Saturday Morning special for so many children, including myself.” 

Since his death, fans all over the continent have been mourning the loss of Ruby, having known him to be a creator of one of their “favorite childhood shows” and a producer of some of their “fondest memories” from when they were kids. 

“It was one of the shows I would always binge watch as a child when I was waiting for my mom to get home from her late shifts. I enjoyed the different mysteries in each episode, they were always good at drawing me into the story and getting me to love the characters,” 70’s kid, Shana Nardielo, said. “When I found out about Ruby’s death, it was heartbreaking to see such a staple of my generation’s childhood gone.”

Ruby’s largely expanded family of his beloved wife, four kids, and ten grandchildren had also been heavily impacted by his passing, having been by his side with him all the way up to his last moments. 

Benjamin Ruby, one of Ruby’s grandchildren,  had said that “He never stopped writing and creating, even as he aged.”