Fred Rogers dead at age 74

[Lucky Bob]

PITTSBURGH (Reuters) - Fred Rogers, who became a nurturing television friend to millions of children as host of the public television program "Mister Rogers' Neighborhood," died of cancer on Thursday at 74, his producer said.


An ordained Presbyterian minister who believed the television airwaves should be used to enhance the human spirit, Rogers died at his home in Pittsburgh. He had been diagnosed with stomach cancer.


Rogers, who began his career in children's television doing puppet voices for a local show on PBS affiliate WQED in Pittsburgh, became a national personality in 1968 when "Mister Rogers' Neighborhood" became available to PBS stations across the country.


Each episode opened with the gentle Mr. Rogers entering a comfortable living room, singing "It's a beautiful day in the neighborhood" and donning a cardigan sweater and pair of comfortable shoes.


One of the red sweaters is now at the Smithsonian Institution (news - web sites).


The show was quickly embraced by both children and parents for an imaginative but simple approach that came with his own songs and puppet voices, and the ongoing message: "There's only one person in the whole world like you."


It became the longest running children's program on public television. He taped his last program in December 2000. The final episode aired in August 2001, but earlier program continues to run on PBS.


Rogers also tackled important subjects for children, including death and violence on television, including the TV news.


During the Gulf crisis a decade ago, he made a public service announcement that told parents: "Children aren't responsible for wars. The least, and the best, we adults can do is to let our children know that we'll take good care of them, no matter what."


Characteristically, the Web site of his production company Family Entertainment Inc. announced his death with advice on how to relay the sad news to children who will continue to see him on television.


"Children have always known Mr. Rogers as their 'television friend,' and that relationship doesn't change with his death," the message said.


Born in Latrobe, Pennsylvania, he studied early child development at the University of Pittsburgh and received a charge to continue his work with families and children through television when he was ordained a minister.


Rogers is survived by his wife, Joanne, their two sons and two grandsons.


*Sigh* Comments?

[Andy Mancini]

This is really sad. I live in Pittsburgh, and this is front-page news here. So big in fact, on KDKA radio, a guest talking about Iraq was rescheduled so they can talk to Mr. McFeely. My dad met Fred Rogers once. He said that Mr. Roger was "just as nice and sincere in real life as he is on the television".

[Bird Boy]

:(

I loved that show. May he rest in peace...

-BB

[Sango]

That's sad...:(

[Sandro]

I heard about this on the radio this morning. That's too bad.

[Galaxia]

:( That's really sad - it's like we all lost a best friend in some way. I loved that show when I was younger...

[Outlander00]

Originally posted by SpikeJet143
:( That's really sad - it's like we all lost a best friend in some way. I loved that show when I was younger...

I think you hit the nail on the head, SpikeJet... We all lost a childhood friend this morning. :( He will be missed by many children (and children at heart). May he be at peace...

[Ed Liu]

Howdy,

Gotta share a Fred Rogers story from my grad school days in Pittsburgh in 1993. One of my classmates was on a house hunt, and had just been turned down for a really good place. His roommate went to go get their car, and he was grumpy on the sidewalk when a familiar looking guy walked past him.

"Wait a second!" the guy said. "You're Mr. Rogers!"

Mr. Rogers smiled at him. The classmate just asked if he could shake his hand, saying something about how much Rogers meant to him as a child. Mr. Rogers asked him what he "grew up to be" (an electrical engineer) and what he was doing in Pittsburgh. When he found out that it was for graduate school, he said (no lie), "Well, I'm happy to see you turned out to be such a fine young man, and I'm glad that you'll be a part of the neighborhood." No, really.

Needless to say, my classmate was jazzed for months about the meeting.

It's not such a beautiful day in the neighborhood these days. With Mr. Rogers' passing, it just got a little bit darker.

Thanks for everything, Fred Rogers. Hope the new neighborhood is treating you well.

-- Ed/Ace

[AJW73]

Mr. Rogers used to be my favorite show when I was little. I even had a toy Trolley, and puppets of X the owl,King Friday, and Lady Elaine.(I think that's her name) He will be missed. :(

[Evil Dr. Reef]

Seeya around, Mr. Rogers. Thanks for all the years I spent in your neighborhood. They were great. :(

[Dark Spider]

To be completely honest, I thought he died awhile ago. I was really shocked to find out he died because of this.

May he rest in peace....he was everyone's neighbor.

[TimTwoFace]

I was never a big fan of Mr. Rogers as a child. I was never a big fan of it as an adult, either. But I always knew that the Mr. Rogers we saw on screen was a genuinely caring human being, and that's all that mattered. He entertained and educated children for decades (what, was it 30 or 40 odd years?) and it's truly sad to see him go, especially at such a relatively young age.

We'll miss ya, Fred. I bet it's a wonderful day in your new neighbourhood up there.

-Tim

[Behonkiss]

*Sigh* You beat me to the post.

This is really a downer. I watched Mr. Rogers and Sesame Street religously as a preschooler, and now that he's dead and Sesame Street is now crap, PBS as I know it is officially dead/

[Sue_Jackson]

I'm very sadden by this. :( I grew up with him. Mr. Rogers was such a decent, and very caring man. He really loved children, and when he talked to the children viewers at home, he really made them feel special. I know when I used to watch him, when I was I little, and he would talk into the camera, it was as if he was really talking to me. He called me his friend, and he really cared about me. I loved the uplifting songs he sang. I really felt that Mr. Roger knew me personally. He told us children that we were special, and that we all mattered. He was so sincere in everything he said and did. I really felt as if he was my friend, and that I was his friend. He had such a kind heart, and such a gentle personality. He was a big influence on me, and I will always remember that.

Plus, I loved the 'Land of Make-believe'. I love King Friday. Queen Sara, Prince Tuesday, the Trolley, Daniel Tiger (my favorite), etc. :)

In my eyes, he'll be truly missed. :(

[Jade_GL]

This is such a sad day. I watched his show religiously and had many hours of fun and learning because of it. I am certainly going to be thinking about this for a while. Thanks Mr. Rogers for your show and all the fun you brought to kids! Thank you wherever you are!!!!! We love and miss you! :)

[Tanooki]

i commemorate my 100th post to mr. rogers. the best neighbor i ever had. good bye, mr. rogers. God bless

KoD

[JohnCrichton]

*respectfully salutes*

Thanks for the childhood, Mr. Rogers. :)

[NinjaJack]

A true inspirtaion to me growing up, before there were power rangers or any suprerheroes in my life, my favorite show was Mr. Rogers Neighborhood. He will be missed, he was a very acomplished man of faith and work ethic, I can only hope that when I reach 74 I have as much admeration as he had.

[Jin Kazama]

It's like when Dr. Sues(sp?) died. It's always sad when someone you grow up with passes. Even more so when he was a genuinly good guy, what with all the charity work he did.

It's a sad day in the neighborhood.

[moreysurf8]

I loved mr. rogers when I was a kid. It sad knowing that the next generation of kids won't be able to grow up with him. Well he did a great thing while he was here, I can't even comprehend the amount of children he has probably helped.

May he rest in peace.

[B.W.H.]

R.I.P. Fred Rogers. :(

[The Dork Knight]

Sad news indeed. I too grew up watching Mr. Rogers when I was a little kid. I'll really miss him...

Rest in peace Mr. Rogers...

- The Dork Knight

[Parallax]

Will miss ya Mr. Rogers...

Hope you find that new neighborhood as wonderful as your old one. ;) :)

[Lucky Bob]

Originally posted by moreysurf8
I loved mr. rogers when I was a kid. It sad knowing that the next generation of kids won't be able to grow up with him. Well he did a great thing while he was here, I can't even comprehend the amount of children he has probably helped.

May he rest in peace.

Don't worry. He'll most likely live on in reruns. However, it does tend to make one realize how precious life is when one of our heroes passes on. Let's face it, Mr. Rogers was possibly the nicest guy the world will ever know.

[Yuss]

His was always my favorite show when I was little... :(



R. I. P.

[Nin-Nin69]

I too used to grow up watching his show. He truly was one of the nicest men who ever lived. I will allways have a place for him in my heart. Goodbye neighbor. :(

[Supernovametalstar]

I learned how to tie my shoes from watching him tie his. Tis a sad day indeed.

[Good Ol' Batmanuel!]

Here's a nice article from The Globe and Mail (http://globeandmail.com/servlet/story/RTGAM.20030227.wobit0227/BNStory/Entertainment). I'm a little surprised that Ernie Coombs, a.k.a. Mr. Dressup, wasn't mentioned seeing as it's a Canadian newspaper and they went to college together. Anyway, very sad news. I only got into the show as I was just nearing the age of becoming "too old" for it, but it always amused me nonetheless. It was a good show for me and my younger brother to watch.

On a slightly odd note, I still have a Mr. Rogers hockey card, as he was a representative of the Pittsburg Penguins! :)

[j32885]

:( I will also miss him too. I'll remember watching him alot on TV when I was very little. I got to meet him once when he went on tour around the country, when I was seven when his tour stop in Detroit area. *Lights a candle in his memory*.

[Magentabeams]

I actually cried when I heared this. It was like the first thing I heard when I woke up. :( He souned like he was a real nice guy. I never met him or anything. But I e-mailed him and asked him for his autograph once. He sent me alot more then just an autpgraph. So, I guess that tells you what a nice person he proably was. It is ashamed that not everyone is like he was.

Sarahanne

[Drachentöter]

Though I didn't watch him as much as others as a child, I realize what an important icon he was to educational television. Fred Rogers' imaginary world was pretty wonderous and imaginative and his messages helped a lot of kids learn and feel good about themselves.

To Fred Rogers, may he never be forgotten.

[The Penguin]

http://animationinsider.net/forums/html/emoticons/cry.gif

When I first read this this morning I was sad, but I didn't think too much about it. After reading what you all had to say it made me remember how much I loved watching Mr. Rogers even though it's be quite a long time since I've stopped by "the neighborhood." :(

Looking back he really cared about each of us even though most of us weren't lucky enough to meet him. I can't really organize my thoughts right now, but he was a great, great man and God is lucky to have him as his new neighbor. :) :(

[Damien]

I never got into the show, but I do respect the guy. My friend's cousin, a sophomore at my school, died today, too. Not such a good day in the neighborhood.
Mr. Rogers had a nice run. He will surely be missed.

[Leaping Larry Jojo]

Nothing to be sad about--he died earlier than I expected, but he still had a long, satisfying life and has grandchildren. An excellent life accomplished, I must say.

Though to be honest, I almost thought he was immortal. It certainly felt like he has been on TV forever, and the guy was pretty much the most unflappable man in children's programming. :)

[NinjaJack]

I feel the same way you do bro, guilty as charged.
I kinda felt like he`d live forever, I kinda feel the same way about Stan Lee who`s a year older then Fred, but being realistc I don`t know how long old Stan`s got.

And the show will air forever, for you see 900 episodes will be there for my childrens children

[TimTwoFace]

Originally posted by Good Ol' Batmanuel!
Here's a nice article from The Globe and Mail (http://globeandmail.com/servlet/story/RTGAM.20030227.wobit0227/BNStory/Entertainment). I'm a little surprised that Ernie Coombs, a.k.a. Mr. Dressup, wasn't mentioned seeing as it's a Canadian newspaper and they went to college together.

Yeah, I didn't think of that until later today. I remember when Mr. Dressup passed on a few years back that I learned that it was because of Mr. Rogers that he even got his start with children's television at CBC. I was kinda upset with his passing, too, because I loved Mr. Dressup - and Casey - and Finnigan - as a child. And I knew of people that ran into him in Toronto bars on occasion, just checkin' out the hockey game or something. That's a true sign of a children's hero - you idolize them as a child, and when you grow up, you'd feel totally comfortable just hanging out with them, crackin' open a cold one. :D

-Tim

[sockhead]

Wow. This has been mentioned in like every message board i visit (like 6 of them or so). He has had an impact on SO many people. Me included. He will be missed.

[The Lizard]

head the nes this morning, he was cool. "wont u be, my neighbor"

[Tea]

I haven't been so sad since Charles Schulz died. :( I watched a little bit of his show when I was younger and he truly was a nice guy... Rest in piece, Mr. Rogers.

[The Detective]

:(
R.I.P.

That's too bad. We'll all miss him.

[Singin' Stray Cat]

In a day and age where children are usually considered a nusiance, he told kids they were special, and that they were loved. And he did it without being overly preachy or overly saccarine....that's what I really liked most about him, when I watched the show as a child.

We will miss you, Mr. Rogers. :(

[SlyBoy]

First it was Dr.Seuss in 1991, Charles Schultz in 2000, and now, Mr.Rogers. All three made a big contribution to my early childhood. I read a lot of Dr.Seuss's books, I looked at the Peanuts strips, and I watched Mr.Roger's Neighboorhood. He will be missed so much. :( :( :(

[Narfpinky]

The best neighbor we all had.

Thanks, Mr. Rodgers.

[hyprlynx]

I loved him as a small child. I liked his show more than Sesame Street. I even had a tiger named Daniel after the tiger on his show. He wasn't too preachy and sugary (like other kids shows geared to that age group) but he always had a good message. I loved the opening when he came in and put on his sweater and sneakers.

He was an incredible guy but I'm sure he's in a better place now.

Rest in Peace Mr. Rogers

[Andy Mancini]

This has been the only topic of conversation here in Pittsburgh. Iraq, the recent string of home invasions, and the Pirates spring training loss have all been ignored for the day. I think that talk show host Rob Pratte said it best:


We all might disagree about a lot of things, like Iraq, but the one thing we all can agree on is Fred Rogers. I've gotten hundreds of calls tongiht, and every one was about how much this man meant to people. He truly was the real thing.

[Zoddman]

If everybody watched Mr. Rogers, there would be no need for psychologists, psychiatrists, or self-help gurus. We could all watch Mr. Rogers, and he would reaffirm to us that we were unique, special people, and that we should be happy were growing and changing, and that everyday is a new beginning. :)

We'll miss you Mr. Rogers, you're an example to all human beings worldwide.

[Patrick Bateman]

:(

Farewell to the nicest guy to ever grace a television screen. Thanks for making me smile all those years ago.

[NinjaJack]

Look at all these replies, one man touched a nation, no nations.
I hope this becomes a big thread, everyone here needs to have a chance to say goodbye to Mr. Rogers. And I thought that X the Owl was awesome when Ii was young.

[Toon Capone]

I loved Mr. Rogers when was a kid and I feel he was genuinely good person and I always liked how he told kids they was special. He will be missed Rest In Peace, Fred Rogers. :(

[Knightmare]

He was a great guy. When I heard about his death as I was leaving work, the lyrics to "Won't You be My Neighbor" popped in my head and it hit me I hadn't watched that show in years, but that song and the show like Sesame Street and it's theme are so much a part of mine and alot of other people's childhoods that they are always in the back of our minds.

If every neighborhood had a Mr. Rogers in it, the world would be a much better place.

Thank you for all of the great memories Mr. Rogers, you will be missed.

[The Old Maid]

:(

The man didn't have a mean bone in his body. Mr. Rogers believed what he taught, and somehow it made a tremendous difference.

Farewell.

[Damien]

I need to make a big correction in my previous post from yesterday. Turns out the condition of the girl I mentioned was a victim of Telephone. She didn't die, but rather brain dead, but even that has improved, as they have recently found some small brain activity.

[Anthonynotes]

Rather sad to see him go... Mr. Rogers probably represented the one thing that TV sorely is lacking in (especially nowadays): someone who was honest. Also impressed he didn't mass-merchandise his TV show or that it wasn't a 30-minute ad for some toy or video game, like most children's TV is (and speaking as someone who grew up watching such shows like He-Man, GI Joe, etc.). He also didn't try to pretend to be "hip", "irreverent" or saccharine in tone.

Farewell, Mr. Rogers. :-(

-B.

[Jeff Harris]

Wish I graduated from ODU in 2000 rather than 2002.

I grew up looking at Mr. Rogers every afternoon after school when I was a little kid. He was one of those guys that was like an uncle or something. Calm voice and he didn't talk down to you nor brainwashed you into buying useless pieces of plastic, like many kid shows did. Basically, Mr. Rogers made kids feel like they were worth something, and not the rauctious brats today's media present them as. He was cool.

Back in 2000, when he was announced to be the Commencement Speaker to the class of 2000 at Old Dominion University, some people were dissentful of the choice, saying he was "too kiddy for the crowd." I was ticked, aside from fact that I couldn't be there, but also because I wanted to know why these guys were so jaded about Mr. Rogers. Just about everybody grew up with him, and it would have been cool to begin life outside of school with the guy that helped you ease into that world.

He was better than the guy the class of 2002 had, whatever his name was.

I'll miss Mr. Rogers. He was another one of those heroes that I've grown up with that were loss in my life time, joining Jim Henson, Dr. Seuss, and Charles Schulz.

[Boy Wonder]

When I learned about it, I was shocked. As he says

It's another day in the neighborhood

But now, we need another neighbor.

[Sue_Jackson]

I remember once, I was watching Daytime Emmy Awards (I don't remember what year), and Mr. Rogers had recieved a longtime achievement award. Then, I remember when he was talking to the audience, he told us to close our eyes (I did also) and to picture beautiful things in our minds. He would say, picture the most beautiful things in your life, or something like that, and to remember how much you are loved and how special you are. I swear, at that moment I felt just like a little girl again. Also, the things he said were so beautiful, and so inspiring that it actually brought tears to my eyes. He really knew how to get inside of your heart, and touch it in away that no one else can match, with just his words. :)

I also remember after Mr. Rogers was finished. There was not a dry eye in the house at the Daytime Emmy Awards, and many of these people in the audience were big-time celebrities. Goes to show you what an extra-special person Mr. Rogers was. It's like he was an angel on earth. :)

Thank you, Mr. Rogers, for being our very special neighbor.

Please, God, make a special place for Mr. Rogers in Heaven, and thank you, God, for such a wonderful man. :)

[Pilmedium]

I have not heard much about him in a while, so I can hardly say much out of memory at this point. People were talking about it at school. From what I seem to be recalling now, he will be missed.

[Nick Biped]

I remember watching his show a number of times when I was younger. He was such a gentle person on TV and in real life, from what I know. Not many shows like his around, which is a shame.

Mr. Rogers will be missed. :(

[Matthew Williams]

Little late, but I should put my stamp on this.

I used to watch Mr. Rogers, and then after that Sesame Street, all the time during my preschool years. I always dug his little cardigan and how he always put his jacket away when he came into his house. Plus I always wanted a trolley just like that, to take me to the neighborhood of make-believe.

Yes, the show was hokey, old-fashioned, and didn't compare well with the TV shows that competed against it, or indeed, accompanied it; even Sesame Street, for example, is cut out of an entirely different mold than Mr. Rogers was. But it was never meant to be like Sesame Street at all.

His calming, soothing voice and slow-paced demeanor admittedly made him the butt of many jokes. But that was his trademark: a slow respite from that world, and a place where he spoke to his audience about the world as it was, albeit in slow, soothing terms.

Goodbye, neighbor; may it be forever a beautiful day in your new neighborhood.

[a.k.a. Skarr~~]

Yes, I was very shocked when I heard the news at school this week in the morning from my arch-nemisis in the hall.

Here are a few of the elements/ characters I remember from the show:

Fred "Mr." Rodgers (of course)
Lady Lane
Daniel Stripe the Tiger
that Mailman dude (can't remember his name, BTW is he still alive?)
Picture Picture (the TV screen)

[Sue_Jackson]

Originally posted by General Skarr
that Mailman dude (can't remember his name, BTW is he still alive?)
Picture Picture (the TV screen)

Mr. McFeeley (sp?)!! :D I loved him! "Speedy delivery! Speedy delivery!" :cool:


I also love the "Picture Picture". I loved all the fascinatings he showed you about how things were made, and all kinds of good things. :D

[The Man in Black]

Date Posted: Feb. 28, 2003

PITTSBURGH (AP) -- Fred Rogers, who gently invited millions of children to be his neighbor as host of the public television show Mister Rogers' Neighborhood for more than 30 years, died of cancer early Thursday. He was 74.

Rogers died at his Pittsburgh home, said family spokesman David Newell, who played Mr. McFeely on the show. Rogers had been diagnosed with stomach cancer sometime after the holidays, Newell said.

"He was so genuinely, genuinely kind, a wonderful person," Newell said. "His mission was to work with families and children for television. ... That was his passion, his mission, and he did it from day one."

From 1968 to 2000, Rogers, an ordained Presbyterian minister, produced the show at Pittsburgh public television station WQED. The final new episode, which was taped in December 2000, aired in August 2001, though PBS affiliates continued to air back episodes.

Rogers composed his own songs for the show and began each episode in a set made to look like a comfortable living room, singing "It's a beautiful day in the neighborhood," as he donned sneakers and a zip-up cardigan.

"I have really never considered myself a TV star," Rogers said in a 1995 interview. "I always thought I was a neighbor who just came in for a visit."

One of Rogers' red sweaters hangs in the Smithsonian Institution. He is survived by his wife, Joanne, a concert pianist; two sons; and two grandsons.

I used to watch that show.......so sad :(

[Barb Gordon]

This doesn't belong here, it belongs at the Entertainment Board. And there's been a thread for Rogers sicne the 27th. PLease try and check the proper boards before posting a thread of a topic that's already being talked about. Thread being moved and merged.

~Barb

[The Penguin]

Interestingly enough this moved post answers the question of whether or not Mr. McFeely "that Mailman dude" is still alive. David Newell is a spokesman for the family. ;)

[The Man in Black]

think they'll take the show off PBS like they did with the Lambchop show? I know they still air All in the Family.....

[Justice League 2000]

that is sad I love that show Mister Rogers :( rest in peace.

[Theking]

It was because of Trolly that I got into HO Trains, love those trains.

And I always wanted a fish tank like him too.

TheKing