ROGERS, Fred McFeely 1928-2003

OBITUARY NOTICE—See index for SATA sketch: Born March 20, 1928, in Latrobe, PA; died of stomach cancer February 27, 2003, in Pittsburgh, PA. Television host, educator, minister, author. Rogers was best known as the soft-spoken, gentle host of children's program, Mister Rogers' Neighborhood, which, at the time of Rogers death, was the longest running program on Public Broadcasting Service (PBS). Rogers, an ordained Presbyterian minister, first began his career in children's television in the mid-1950s as executive producer of Children's Corner, the predecessor of the long-running Mister Rogers show. For more than thirty years, Rogers' broadcasts assured children of their self-worth; every episode of Mister Rogers' Neighborhood ended with the phrase, "I like you just the way you are." The recipient of two Peabody Awards, four Emmy Awards, and lifetime acheivement awards from both the National Academy of Television Arts and Sciences and the TV Critics Association, Rogers was presented with the Presidential Medal of Freedom, the nation's highest civilian honor, in 2002. Rogers wrote more than two hundred songs, many of which were used on his television program, and was the author of books for children, including his "Let's Talk about It" and "First Experience" series. He also wrote books for adults on topics such as parenting.

OBITUARIES AND OTHER SOURCES:

PERIODICALS

Los Angeles Times, February 28, 2003, Elaine Woo, "Fred Rogers: 1928-2003; It's a Sad Day in This Neighborhood," p. 1A.

New York Times, February 28, 2003, Daniel Lewis, "Fred Rogers, Host of 'Mister Rogers' Neighborhood,' Dies at 74."

Philadelphia Inquirer, February 28, 2003, Art Carey, "Mr. Rogers Was Tutor, Friend for the Ages."

Star Tribune (Minneapolis, MN), February 28, 2003, Neal Justin, "Mr. Rogers Dies of Stomach Cancer at 74."