W.P. Kinsella, whose book inspired Field of Dreams, dies at 81

This article originally appeared on PEOPLE.com.

W.P. Kinsella, the author who’s book became the hit film Field of Dreams, died on Friday at the age of 81. 

Kinsella’s best-known work was Shoeless Joe, a 1982 novel about a farmer in Iowa who builds a baseball field on his property in the hopes of attracting his hero, Shoeless Joe Jackson. 

It inspired the 1989 Kevin Costner film, Field of Dreams. 

The film was directed by Phil Alden Robinson and also starred James Earl Jones and Ray Liotta. 

After the film was released, the farm used in the film became a popular tourist destination. 

Kinsella’s literary agent, Carolyn Swayze, said in a statement that his death in Hope, British Columbia was doctor-assisted, according to The Associated Press on Friday. 

Kinsella, born in Edmonton, Canada, was awarded the Jack Graney Award by the Canadian Baseball Hall of Fame in 2011, for significant contributions to the game of baseball in Canada. 

“I wrote it 30 years ago, and the fact that people are still discovering it makes me proud. It looks like it will stand the test of time,” Kinsella said at the time. 

Fans took to Twitter Friday night, expressing their sadness and commemorating Kinsella’s work. 

Sorry to hear of W.P. Kinsella’s passing. His “Shoeless Joe” has been on my shelf for three decades. pic.twitter.com/Ypvugvenhv

— Mike Wilson (@mWilstory) September 17, 2016

W.P. Kinsella died today. Everyone knows him for what became Field of Dreams, but Thrill of The Grass is my fav baseball story collection.

— Kevin Van Valkenburg (@KVanValkenburg) September 17, 2016

Costner, who played Ray Kinsella, the man who tries to bring Shoeless Joe Jackson to his baseball field, posted a #TBT picture of himself as the character in July. 

#TBT pic.twitter.com/lCxludhOpX

— Kevin Costner & MW (@modernwest) July 7, 2016

Kinsella was married three times and is survived by two daughters, who cared for him in his final years, according to The AP. Kinsella has asked there be no memorial service. 

His agency did not provide further details on his death. Assisted deaths became legal in Canada in June.