Both young and old will remember Feb. 27, 2003 as a sad day in the neighborhood. Fred Rogers, the creator and star of Mr. Rogers Neighborhood, died at the age of 74 from stomach cancer.
Born March 20, 1928, in Latrobe, Pennsylvania, Rogers is the host and creator is the longest running children’s television program on the Public Broadcasting Service (PBS). For more than 45 years, his show has been watched by generations of young people. He worked throughout the television industry before arriving at PBS and his famous show.
“Mister Rogers’ Neighborhood” differed from many other children’s television programs because Rogers actively sought to converse with his preschool audience, not to talk at them. He also speaks to them on their level and holds a genuine interest and concern in their lives and problems.
The focus and emphasis of each show is on children and their individual needs and feelings. Just as his grandfather McFeely had done for him, Rogers sought to validate the preschoolers’ existence and lives. He endeavored to do this by constantly reinforcing their positive images of self-worth and reminding them that they are special individuals who are well loved.
When students heard the news, many were devastated. Our generation grew up with him and watched him very often.
“You could always turn on PBS and see him changing his shoes and his sweater. He was a good man and will be missed,” said Karel Vetrovec, ’05.
More than just a television personality, Rogers was like a personal friend to millions of young children. Their relationship with him is a very real one, more than just one between an audience and an entertainer or a man in a dinosaur costume. He had grace enough to teach us about life and where crayons came from at the same time, while still being committed to bettering childrens lives.
Mr. Rogers affected all people in the college generation and generally helped with our upbringing. He was a wonderful man who will be sorely missed.
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