I was 5 when Mr Hooper died. I can still remember not being able to understand what it meant and Big Bird's irrational response just made me feel upset and confused. I think they knew exactly what they were doing.
I think Sesame Street is up there with Mr. Rogers' Neighborhood as one of the kindest and most influential shows on television, not in terms of influencing the medium and other shows but in terms of influencing viewers. Each of them brought up thousands of good people who went on to do more good. Caroll Spinney has, undoubtedly, played a huge part in that. RIP to a great man from a great show.
Powerful stuff.