our small world mourns.

Since news broke of Robert Sherman’s death late last night, an outpouring of loss and celebration has rung out around the Disney world.

My brother Bob was a poetic soul with limitless imagination and talent. He was my loyal friend all through the years. We were fortunate to have been blessed by two great men, our key inspirations—our father, Al, who teamed us up and taught us the craft, and Walt Disney, who provided us with an opportunity to realize our greatest dreams. Bob will be lovingly missed by all of us in his family.

– Richard Sherman, brother of Robert Sherman

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Thank you everyone for your amazing outpouring of love. Dad once told me he wished he could stand at the end of the “It’s a Small World” ride so he could shake everyone’s hand as they exited. World peace, charity, love and family were his prayer for the world. 

Robert B. Sherman was a poet all his life and, during the war, saw the darkest depths of humanity. He somehow survived those years and the nightmares that followed. He devoted his life and his passion to all forms of art to shine a light on the beauty of mankind and make the world a happier place.

Every time, everywhere someone sings his song, Dad is there smiling.

– Jeffrey Sherman, son of Robert Sherman

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Today, on behalf of everyone at Disney, we mourn the loss of an extraordinary talent, Robert Sherman.

One of the world’s greatest songwriters and a true Disney legend, his legacy will endure forever through the magic of his music. From Mary Poppins and It’s a Small World to Winnie the Pooh and The Jungle Book, Robert, along with his brother Richard, wrote many of Disney’s most memorable and beloved songs, which continue to enchant millions of people around the world to this day.

– Bob Iger, President and CEO, The Walt Disney Company

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‎We are deeply saddened to learn of Robert Sherman’s passing. He and his younger brother, Richard, brought beautiful words and music to the world of Disney, the films and the parks alike. The whole world shares a love for their music and my father loved and respected them both. We offer our respectful sympathies to Robert’s children and grandchildren, and to Richard and his family. Theirs was a long and fruitful collaboration, and we’re all grateful for it.

– Diane Disney Miller, daughter of Walt Disney

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The Sherman Brothers legacy goes far beyond the craft of songwriting. There is a magic in their songs and in the films and musicals they breathed life into. My thoughts and prayers are with Robert’s family, and with Richard Sherman, who has become a dear and precious friend to me.

– Alan Menken, Oscar-award winning composer for The Little Mermaid and Aladdin

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Robert Sherman and his brother Richard spent a decade providing lively, tuneful, and memorable songs for Walt Disney’s movies, TV shows, and theme parks—and worked their way into the hearts of millions of fans all over the world. Their songs have the unusual—and inimitable—ability to make you feel good. No wonder people took to them when they were new and still respond to them today.

– Leonard Maltin, film historian and author of the book The Disney Films

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On behalf of everyone here at DisneyExaminer.com, we also send our prayers to the family of Robert Sherman as they go through this loss. He is survived by his brother Richard and four children: Laurie, Jeffrey, Andrea and Robert.

This post will be updated as more tributes come in.