Obit: Fred McFeely Rogers (1928-2003)

Subject: Obit: Fred McNeely Rogers
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 27 Feb 03 - 10:45 AM

Anyone who has raised children in the last 30 years is certainly familiar with Mr. Roger's Neighborhood. But the flags are at half-staff in his tiny town, because Fred Rogers died of stomach cancer early this morning. You'll find more everywhere, but here is one link now.

You might want to look at Nightline tonight--Dave Marish did a wonderful program with Mr. Rogers and they will probably replay it tonight or very soon.

His music may have been derided by some (who didn't know any better) as sweet, childish fare, but it was very powerful stuff for small children and their parents.

SRS

Subject: RE: Obit: Fred McNeely Rogers
From: Kim C
Date: 27 Feb 03 - 10:55 AM

I watched Mister Rogers EVERY DAY as a wee lassie. I will miss him.

Subject: RE: Obit: Fred McNeely Rogers
From: GUEST
Date: 27 Feb 03 - 10:58 AM

Speedy Delivery, Mr Rogers. Sad to see you go.

Subject: RE: Obit: Fred McNeely Rogers
From: Wesley S
Date: 27 Feb 03 - 11:14 AM

As the father of a two year old Mr Rogers is a frequest visitor in our neighborhood. He'll be missed - what a gentle man.

Subject: RE: Obit: Fred McNeely Rogers
From: catspaw49
Date: 27 Feb 03 - 11:19 AM

What a sad day......One of the best things that television had to offer to small kids was, and is, Fred Rogers. His death last night leaves us all diminished but we have 30 years of shows that are in most ways timeless. It was always easy to poke fun at Mr. Rogers, but it was even easier to see his gentle manner and the way he got through to kids.

So many people complain about the horrors of television and what it has done to kids. Frankly, a steady diet of Fred Rogers to a certain age group would be infinitely superior to an awful lot of parents! There are too many wonderful things to say to even try and begin. A gentle and kind human(e) being who loved what he did and the audience he did it for. Not many like him come along and we were all blessed that he gave of himself so freely.

It's popular right now to say, "It takes an entire village to raise a child." Mr. Rogers Neighborhood was an entire village.........

Spaw

Subject: RE: Obit: Fred McNeely Rogers
From: artbrooks
Date: 27 Feb 03 - 11:20 AM

Tiny town...Pittsburgh? He lived around the corner from Jenn's parents, and she was a regular long before his show became nationally syndicated. I remember going there once for a visit and having her point the house out...an ordinary home on an ordinary city street. Quite a guy.

Subject: RE: Obit: Fred McNeely Rogers
From: clueless don
Date: 27 Feb 03 - 11:22 AM

I almost never watched Mr. Rogers' Neighborhood when it first came out (I was 18 at the time.) I remember seeing part of one episode and thinking that it was "a story about a whining cat" (that would have been Henrietta Pussycat.) But I started watching regularly when my daughter was very young, and now I have only the highest praise for it! Fred Rogers had a wonderful imagination, a fine sense of humor (no less keen for being gentle), and excellent musical gifts, which especially came through in the several "operas" that were presented on the show from time to time. I was saddened back in 2000, when I heard that there were to be no more new episodes, and I'm saddened now that he has gone. Thank you, Mr. Rogers, for your enormous gift!

And my apologies, Henrietta, for thinking that you were a whiner!

Subject: RE: Obit: Fred McNeely Rogers
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 27 Feb 03 - 11:24 AM

His neighborhood, Art, not Pittsburgh.

Subject: RE: Obit: Fred McNeely Rogers
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 27 Feb 03 - 11:27 AM

Or here, and just click on the door.

Subject: RE: Obit: Fred McNeely Rogers
From: Genie
Date: 27 Feb 03 - 11:42 AM

It is, indeed, a sad day in the neighborhood.

Genie

Subject: RE: Obit: Fred McNeely Rogers
From: katlaughing
Date: 27 Feb 03 - 11:50 AM

I grew up in a one tv station town, CBS, which didn't carry Mr. Rogers; likewise my kids until they were older. We didn't have cable until 1987. My first exposure to him was the parodies by Eddie Murphy on SNL. Those prompted me to watch for the original show. I regret my children didn't have more of a chance to watch him.

I see by one of the articles about him that he had a degree in music composition which I find interesting.

I found this quote...kind of says it all, for him and for life, imo:

"I think everybody longs to be loved and longs to know that he or she is lovable," Mr. Rogers said. " And, consequently, the greatest thing that we can do is to help somebody know that they are loved and capable of loving."

He sure did that, didn't he?

Lovely day in heaven...

kat

Subject: RE: Obit: Fred McNeely Rogers
From: bflat
Date: 27 Feb 03 - 11:53 AM

He added greatly to my children's lives and mine. I recall a show he had done where everyone was encouraged to sing opera whatever they would have simply said in spoken word. The theme was to be free to express onself in song. I felt liberated with my singing from that children's show. He was so gentle. He centainly enriched many lives. The neighborhood has a huge vacancy now.

Ellen

Subject: RE: Obit: Fred McNeely Rogers
From: Blackcatter
Date: 27 Feb 03 - 12:03 PM

Fred Rogers had an Orlando connection in that Rollins College was his alma mater. He was also an ordained Presbyterian minister. The American Presbyterian Church considered his TV show his ministry.

To me one of the special aspects of Fred Rogers is that he was willing to talk about hard issues with small children. His shows occasionally dealt with fear of death and he made some special informational spots after 9/11 that ran on PBS stations to encourage parents ot talk with their kids about the subject.

While he was often parodied and joked about, he will be missed.

pax yall

Subject: RE: Obit: Fred McNeely Rogers
From: GUEST,sad
Date: 27 Feb 03 - 12:08 PM

If anyone deserved a long old age and a painless death, it was Fred Rogers. So sad to imagine that this wasn't the case. Perhaps Jim Hensen met him at the door?

Subject: RE: Obit: Fred McNeely Rogers
From: Art Thieme
Date: 27 Feb 03 - 12:11 PM

Nothing mellowed me out after a long road trip through snow and sleet and 3:00 AM breakdowns in the middle o' nowhere than arriving home in mid-morning with Chris watching Fred Rogers. I'd sit down with him and the man would act like verbal valium on my fatigue and frustration with the ways of this world. He was just a mellow man. I'm glad I met him passin' through.

Art Thieme

Subject: RE: Obit: Fred McNeely Rogers
From: CarolC
Date: 27 Feb 03 - 12:28 PM

Goodbye Mister Rogers. We'll miss you.

Subject: RE: Obit: Fred McNeely Rogers
From: Blackcatter
Date: 27 Feb 03 - 12:37 PM

Now if only Barney would follow . . . .

Subject: RE: Obit: Fred McNeely Rogers
From: Rapparee
Date: 27 Feb 03 - 12:37 PM

My friend Peggy raised her three daughters on Mr. Rogers when they lived near Pittsburg. One summer, not so very long ago, they were taking a few weeks on Cape Cod, when the girls found out that the neighbor they were walking on the beach with was...Fred Rogers. THE Fred Rogers. At 20, 18, and 12 they were still in awe of meeting MR. ROGERS! He invited them to his summer house, ate cookies with them, presented each with autographed photos....

I didn't grow up with him (Captain Kangaroo was even after my time), but I respect his work. He'll be missed, but can you imagine what his neighborhood is NOW like???????????

Subject: RE: Obit: Fred McNeely Rogers
From: CarolC
Date: 27 Feb 03 - 12:45 PM

Back in July of 2001, I started this thread when Fred Rogers officially announced his retirement. I think it's fitting to include a link to it here. Also fitting, I think, is the fact that my gentle friend, the late LR Mole, was the last person to post to it...

Fred Rogers hangs up his sweater

Subject: RE: Obit: Fred McNeely Rogers
From: open mike
Date: 27 Feb 03 - 02:31 PM

i think his sweater with the zipper
may be in the smithsonian institute
as a symbol of his neighborhood.

Subject: RE: Obit: Fred McNeely Rogers
From: artbrooks
Date: 27 Feb 03 - 02:38 PM

The original puppets are in the Pittsburgh Childrens' Museum.

Subject: RE: Obit: Fred McNeely Rogers
From: TIA
Date: 27 Feb 03 - 03:11 PM

Anyone else remember his visit to a saxophone factory? I was fascinated...glued to the TV (at 40 plus years old).

Subject: RE: Obit: Fred McNeely Rogers
From: bflat
Date: 27 Feb 03 - 03:32 PM

open mike, you are correct.

ellen

Subject: RE: Obit: Fred McNeely Rogers
From: Jim Colbert
Date: 27 Feb 03 - 03:46 PM

Having gone to art school in Pittsburgh and growing up in western PA, I've often encountered folks that knew or worked for him (even my wife, for a very very brief stint) and he was one of those rare people that everyone had a good word for. He gave a friend of mine who was hitchiking home for the weekend from school (or back to school, can't recall) a lift one time that culminated with him being offered either an entry level job or an internship on his show. It must have been painting sets or backdrops or something, but with employment the way it was in the burgh in 81-82, it wasn't something to sneeze at and I'm sure looked great on the resume. Did you guys know he normally wrote all his own songs too?

jim

Subject: RE: Obit: Fred McNeely Rogers
From: Don Firth
Date: 27 Feb 03 - 04:01 PM

I was introduced to Mr. Rogers by my wife, Barbara. When she would come home from the library all stressed out from slaving over a hot pile of books and dealing with a parade of weird patrons (anyone who thinks a library can't be a stressful place to work has never worked in a large, downtown library), she would decompress by turning on "Mr. Rogers' Neighborhood." When our local PBS station rescheduled it to earlier in the day, she got me to videotape it. We watched it together. It had a marvelously soothing affect on both of us.

I learned a lot about talking with young children from watching Mr. Rogers. And I learned that I could learn a lot from these little people if I'd just listen to them. The fresh viewpoint and a vivid imagination of a three- or four-year-old can open up whole universes if one is receptive. They can come up with marvelous insights and express them in pure poetry.

I remember listening to an interview with Fred Rogers some years ago. He told the story of the little boy (four or five, if I remember right) who was extremely upset by the sudden appearance of a new baby brother. He was so upset that the parents were careful not to leave the two of them alone together for fear that the boy might harm the baby. Then one day the boy told his parents that he wanted to talk to his baby brother alone. Reluctantly, they let him into the baby's room and watched carefully through a crack in the door. The boy stood by the baby's crib for several minutes. Then they heard him say to the baby, "Tell me what it was like. I'm starting to forget."

Fred Rogers was a kind and gentle man. The world would be a much better place if there were more like him. It's a very sad day in the neighborhood. But maybe there's a new star in the sky. God Bless. . . .

In memoriam:--If you have a cardigan sweater and a pair of sneakers, why don't you put them on?

Don Firth

Subject: RE: Obit: Fred McNeely Rogers
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 27 Feb 03 - 04:21 PM

Nice thought, Don. Kind of like after Payne Stewart, the golfer died. All of his golfing buddies turned up at the next big golfing event in knickers, that had been Stewart's trademark. I know just the sweater (it's from L.L. Bean).

My daughter stopped being afraid of the vacuum cleaner after watching Mr. Rogers talk about that very thing one day. Just stopped, because he answered all of her fears with his explanation. And I loved all of those little videos about how things are made. Toothbrushes, crayons, saxaphones, just everyday stuff.

SRS

Subject: RE: Obit: Fred McNeely Rogers
From: Michael S
Date: 27 Feb 03 - 04:25 PM

You'll notice that there do not exist any Mr. Rogers Board Games, nor lunch boxes, nor scale models of the neighborhood complete with plastic characters. I've read that Fred Rogers received many overtures for such endeavors and he declined them all, thereby declining the opportunity to become fabulously wealthy.

His reason--he said he never wanted a single child to feel bad because his/her parents couldn't afford to buy the latest Mr. Rogers toy.

RIP Mr. Rogers,
Michael

Subject: RE: Obit: Fred McNeely Rogers
From: AllisonA(Animaterra)
Date: 27 Feb 03 - 04:32 PM

Dear Mr. Rogers. He came along when my younger sister and brother were just barely young enough to enjoy him. Much later, my children both learned much about life, the universe, and saxophones, TIA- although the crayon factory was the one my children remember best! And his books are terrific- we kept the one my son called "Mr. Rogers Goes to the Bathroom" next to the commode for years! It helped 2 toddlers get thru that tricky time. When I was a young mother and prone to depression his songs could make me cry.
"It's you I like..."
"It's such a good feeling to know you're alive..."
And of course, "It's a beautiful day in the neighborhood..."
A very happy tomorrow to you, Fred!

Subject: RE: Obit: Fred McNeely Rogers
From: Big Mick
Date: 27 Feb 03 - 04:37 PM

Looking for this gentle mans voice in others will be easy. I will miss him, and I thank him for the help he has given me in raising three great kids. And I will miss the bravery with which he attacked the issues of our times on our behalf, and with our kids. This man was a brave warrior in the struggle to raise kids in a very confusing world. And the secret? He simply came at it in terms that the kids could understand. If only the rest of us could learn the difficult task of looking at problems in a child like way. The world would be so much different. Especially in these times............

All the very best to you, Fred Rogers. May God be good to you.

Mick

Subject: RE: Obit: Fred McNeely Rogers
From: Dexter
Date: 27 Feb 03 - 09:13 PM

I grew up watching, "The Neighborhood".
I was saddened to hear of Fred Rogers' death as I listened to the radio this morning. It felt as though a family member was gone.
I was gladdened when I realized that his obituary was the first news in a long time to bump war out of the lead story slot. Even his death was able to squelch a little fear.
Goodbye Mr. Rogers.

Subject: RE: Obit: Fred McNeely Rogers
From: michaelr
Date: 27 Feb 03 - 09:22 PM

Suppose I'm the only one who felt there was something vaguely creepy about the guy?

(No disrespect intended.)
Michael

Subject: RE: Obit: Fred McNeely Rogers
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 27 Feb 03 - 09:52 PM

Michaelr, that's probably because you watched too much of the "regular" television fare--there always has to be an angle when someone is just "too" good. But on rare occasions, what you see IS what you get. This was one of those occasions.

SRS

Subject: RE: Obit: Fred McNeely Rogers
From: Ebbie
Date: 27 Feb 03 - 10:17 PM

I liked today's cartoon: Mr. Rogers, slippers in hand ,is at the Pearly Gates. He tells St. Peter: Hello, Neighbor.

Subject: RE: Obit: Fred McNeely Rogers
From: Homeless
Date: 27 Feb 03 - 11:16 PM

As a wee tyke, I was a biter. Bit my sisters so hard to leave marks, bruises, and blood. My parents tried everything to get me to quit, to no avail. One day I watched Mr. Rogers and in that episode there was a bit about Donkey Hotey biting and Mr. Rogers convincing him not to anymore. I don't recall what was said, but I do know that I never bit anyone after that. The man had a profound effect on children.

"I've always wanted to have a neighbor, just like you."

Subject: RE: Obit: Fred McNeely Rogers
From: Blackcatter
Date: 27 Feb 03 - 11:34 PM

Michaelr,

Some people have felt that, but it's usually because they never really saw much of his show. Everyone who knew him says that his on air persona, was not a persona - it was the way he really was. He married his college sweetheart and stayed married to her all along. His fellow neighborhood people were with him on the show for ever and ever. He was respected be educators, parents, TV people and musicians. Every child he talked to came away know that Mr. Rogers was on their side.


By the way - I kind of think that Mr. Rogers is really one of us - a folkie. Does his music qualify for the folk label?

What do y'all think?

pax yall

Subject: RE: Obit: Fred McNeely Rogers
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 27 Feb 03 - 11:39 PM

John Donven did the Nightline interview--and they're replaying it tonight.

SRS

Subject: RE: Obit: Fred McNeely Rogers
From: KT
Date: 28 Feb 03 - 12:00 AM

I wrote to Mr. Rogers a year and a half ago. I had just looked at his web site and listened to The Beautiful Day In the Neighborhood song and decided to share with him the memories that tune evoked. Outstanding among them were a feeling of going back to a sweeter, gentler time when my children were preschoolers. It was a time full of love and innocence, and a time when I knew without a shadow of a doubt that if they were watching television and Mr. Rogers was on, they were safe and deeply cared for. (can't say that about much that's on tv) Much to my surprise, within three weeks he had answered my letter with deep appreciation. Yeah, that's the kind of guy he was. We are fortunate to have shared some time with this good, good man.

Ebbie, your post made we weep.

Thanks y'all for THIS beautiful neighborhood.    KT

Subject: Lyr Add: PLEASE DON'T THINK IT'S FUNNY (F Rogers)
From: Blackcatter
Date: 28 Feb 03 - 12:02 AM

Greetings all.

For lyrics to several of his songs as well as the importance of songwriting to his life head here: Songs in the Key of Childhood

This one made me cry:

PLEASE DON'T THINK IT'S FUNNY

© 1968 Fred M. Rogers

Sometimes you feel like holding your pillow all night long.
Sometimes you hug your teddybear tightly,
He's old but he's still strong.
And sometimes you want to snuggle up closely with your
own mom and dad.
At night, you even need the light sometimes,
But that's not bad.

Please don't think it's funny
When you want an extra kiss.
There are lots and lots of people
Who sometimes feel like this.
Please don't think it's funny
When you want the ones you miss.
There are lots and lots of people
Who sometimes feel like this.

It's great to know you're growing up bigger every day.
But somehow things you like to remember
Are often put away.
And sometimes you wonder over and over
If you should stay inside.
When you enjoy a younger toy ...
You never need to hide.

In the long, long trip of growing,
There are stops along the way
For thoughts of all the soft things
And a look at yesterday.
For a chance to fill our feelings
With comfort and with ease,
And then tell the new tomorrow:
"You can come now when you please."

So please don't think it's funny
When you want an extra kiss.
There are lots and lots of people
Who sometimes feel like this.
Please don't think it's funny
When you want the ones you miss.
There are lots and lots of people
Who sometimes feel like this.

Subject: RE: Obit: Fred McNeely Rogers
From: Don Firth
Date: 28 Feb 03 - 01:22 PM

Yesterday, I took what I posted above (27 Feb 03 - 04:01 PM) and cut-and-pasted it into the "Letters to the Editor" box on the Seattle Times website. They published it today. Lots of people wrote in. HERE it is, with the other letters and e-mails.

This morning KUOW, the local NRP affiliate did a call-in show about Mr. Rogers. They started with an interview with David Newell ("Mr. McFeely"). People called in with stories about how Mr. Rogers affected them and theirs. Good stuff. He certainly had a positive effect on a lot of people.

Don Firth
"If at first you don't succeed, stay as sweet as you are."
                                              --Lady Elaine Fairchilde

Subject: RE: Obit: Fred McNeely Rogers
From: Ebbie
Date: 28 Feb 03 - 01:50 PM

Isn't this perfect for where he went this week? (from Blackcatter's post)

"In the long, long trip of growing,
There are stops along the way
For thoughts of all the soft things
And a look at yesterday.
For a chance to fill our feelings
With comfort and with ease,
And then tell the new tomorrow:
"You can come now when you please."

Subject: RE: Obit: Fred McNeely Rogers
From: black walnut
Date: 28 Feb 03 - 02:51 PM

My teenage son says that Mr. Rogers, Mr. Dressup and The Friendly Giant were the very best.

~b.w.

Subject: RE: Obit: Fred McNeely Rogers
From: The Pooka
Date: 28 Feb 03 - 03:32 PM

Like so many millions of other kids, our son was raised on him. A great, great man. Gone too soon. Never to be replaced.

Subject: RE: Obit: Fred McNeely Rogers
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 28 Feb 03 - 03:58 PM

I really love a couple of the points Donven made in his Rogers interview they replayed on Nightline last night. At one point the film crew met Rogers at his train in D.C., and out of of curiosity, watched to see how long it took people to recognize him. About 9 seconds. :) And the thing people most wanted to tell Rogers: "Thank-you." He also got a LOT of hugs everywhere he went.

SRS

Subject: RE: Obit: Fred McNeely Rogers
From: Peg
Date: 28 Feb 03 - 05:34 PM

I think I may have posted this to the other Mister Rogers thread, but maybe it bears repeating...

I read a great article/interview piece on Fred Rogers in Esquire several years ago. (One memorable paragraph begins "Mister Rogers is naked.")

At one point he mentions that he has weighed 143 pounds for many years and when he gains a pound he does what he has to to lose it again (he swam daily). He said he liked having that for his weight because the sequence of the numbers was the same as the number of letters in the phrase "I love you."

That sums up the man to me.

Subject: RE: Obit: Fred McNeely Rogers
From: CapriUni
Date: 28 Feb 03 - 08:27 PM

From Blackcatter:

By the way - I kind of think that Mr. Rogers is really one of us - a folkie. Does his music qualify for the folk label?

What do y'all think?

Well, if the "folk label" is reserved for songs that, whether or not they're written by Anonymous, address the important, everyday, and sometimes diffecult issues of living, and become popular enough to be passed down from one generation to the next through the oral tradition, than I'd say "Most definitely!"

And if you ask me, he was a great lyricist. Period. For example:

What do you do with the mad that you feel
When you feel so mad you could bite?
When the whole wide world seems oh, so wrong...
And nothing you do seems very right?

35 years or so since I first heard this song, and I have yet to hear anything since that pins this feeling down so perfectly...

This morning, on the NPR show "The Connection," one of the interview guests was a former director of "Mister Roger's Neighborhood," and he pointed out that while other kids' shows aim at teaching cognitivie skills, Fred Rogers taught emotional knowledge -- not just: "When you're happy, you smile; when you're mad, you scowl," but: "I'm happy because _______; I'm frustrated because ______" ...

And the show was couragous, for all it's simplistity, because Mister Rogers was honest about feelings -- many (most) of them are of the "sunshine and lollipops" variety, but all of them are valid and to be respected. What counts is how you deal with them.

Subject: RE: Obit: Fred McNeely Rogers
From:
Date: 28 Feb 03 - 09:09 PM

I lived for his operas. Hildegard Hummingbird Strong as the Wind. Have you ever seen a Moovie Cow. He was a very talanted musician. His music can be heard at pbskids.org. I think "It's You I Like" is one of the finest jazz love songs around. I know, I know, it wasn't delivered that way, but go listen to the recording on the web.

David

Subject: Obit: Fred McFeely Rogers--AKA Mr.Rogers
From: Genie
Date: 28 Feb 03 - 09:13 PM

BTW, Fred Rogers's middle name was McFeely, not McNeely. I just heard PBS's interview with him (on Fresh Air) from last November, right before he was diagnosed with stomach cancer, and he said his Grandfather, after whom he was given his middle name, was Mr. McFeely. (DK for sure about the spelling, but the character Mr. McFeely on the show -- the postmaster?--was also named for Fred Rogers's grandfather.)

Genie

Subject: RE: Obit: Fred McNeely Rogers
From: Genie
Date: 28 Feb 03 - 09:23 PM

PS, his mother knitted all his sweaters.

Subject: RE: Obit: Fred McFeely Rogers
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 28 Feb 03 - 09:40 PM

Oops. That "McNeely" was a typo. Maybe a clone will fix it? Sorry about that.

Subject: RE: Obit: Fred McNeely Rogers
From: Neighmond
Date: 28 Feb 03 - 10:24 PM

we could use more like him.

Chaz