Route 66 artist Waldmire dying of cancer

SPRINGFIELD, Ill., Nov. 5 (UPI) -- Illinois artist Bob Waldmire, known for selling his artwork along Route 66, said he is dying of cancer and using his remaining time saying goodbye to friends.

The 64-year-old artist said he is hoping to survive long enough to meet several of his friends at an upcoming art show in his native Springfield, Ill., the Chicago Tribune said Thursday.

"I've been hearing from 66er friends and some people I've never heard of ... It just brings tears to my eyes. If I'd known it was going to be this good, I'd have gotten sick a long time ago," Waldmire said.

Waldmire earned a reputation traveling along Route 66 in his Volkswagen bus to sell artwork to residents along the decommissioned, 2,448-mile highway.

The popular sight of Waldmire in his VW served as the inspiration for the VW van character Filmore in the animated film "Cars," a Pixar spokesman said.

The Tribune said Waldmire's bus will eventually be put up for display at a planned Route 66 Alliance museum in Tulsa, Okla.