The horror community has lost an important contributor.

Accomplished special effects artist and director John Carl Buechler died Monday, THR reports. The 66-year-old had been battling stage 4 prostate cancer. A GoFundMe campaign, launched in February by his wife, Lynn Buechler, during his fight, said that he had been "undergoing any and all treatments."

Following his entry into horror in the early 1980s, Buechler had a hand in numerous classic horror flicks and franchises. He brought his SFX skill to the likes of "Hatchet," "Halloween," and "Ghoulies," among many other projects. Additionally, some of the films he directed include "Troll," "Cellar Dweller," and "Friday the 13th Part VII: The New Blood." Buechler also added credits as a screenwriter, producer, and actor during his career.

After news of Buechler's death broke, members of the horror community began to pay tribute to him and celebrate his impact. SFX artist Mark Shostrom, for example, wrote via Twitter that Buechler "did more than any person in the FX and monster business to give so many people their first jobs."

Buechler will also be missed by his family and friends. He leaves behind three children.

[via: THR]