Wayne Stayskal

Wayne Stayskal (December 11, 1931 – November 20, 2018) was an American political cartoonist for the Tampa Tribune and previously for the Chicago Tribune.

Early life and education

Born in Oak Park, Illinois, Stayskal was a 1950 graduate of Chicago's Steinmetz High School. He served in the U.S. Air Force, spending a period of time stationed in Paris, France. He married the love of his life, Helen, on September 21, 1951.

Professional career

With nudging from his wife Helen, Stayskal enrolled in the Chicago Academy of Fine Arts while continuing to drive a taxi; he graduated in 1956.

After his mentor, Vaughn Shoemaker, retired, Stayskal became the chief cartoonist for the Chicago's American. The American was later renamed Chicago Today and converted to a tabloid in 1969, and some of Stayskal's work appeared in the Chicago Tribune in 1973 after Chicago Today discontinued its weekend editions.

Stayskal also coauthored several books with his good friend Cal Thomas, a newspaper columnist, including the 1985 book Liberals for Lunch.

After he retired from the Tampa Tribune in 2004, Stayskal and his wife moved back to the Chicago area, settling first in St. Charles and then in a retirement community in Carol Stream. He continued to draw syndicated cartoons until he retired completely in 2010.

Death

Stayskal died in Carol Stream, Illinois on November 20, 2018 from complications due to Alzheimer's disease.