It's Been 17 Years Since The Death Of Fred Rogers

Cover Image
Photo credit Fred Rogers Productions

PITTSBURGH (Newsradio 1020 KDKA) - It’s hard to believe but 17 years ago the Pittsburgh and the world lost its favorite neighbor, Fred Rogers.

Fred Rogers productions posted on Twitter, “His playful spirit and message of kindness are timeless reminders of his positive impact on generations of children.”

Today, we're remembering our founder, Fred Rogers, who passed away on this date in 2003. His playful spirit and message of kindness are timeless reminders of his positive impact on generations of children. pic.twitter.com/PP6MgML4oJ

— Fred Rogers Productions (@FredRogersPro) February 27, 2020

Rogers was the host of the children’s program Mister Rogers Neighborhood for 30 years, which was produced and aired locally on WQED.

Rogers was born March 20, 1928 in Latrobe, PA and gained world-wide fame through his message of kindness.

He called Fame a four-letter word and said it was important that those in the spotlight worked for the greater good.

Rogers was also an ordained United Presbyterian Church minister and was asked by the church to make television his ministry, but he never mentioned God during his program.

He was diagnosed with stomach cancer in December of 2002 and died on February 27, 2003 with his wife Joanne by his side.

While Rogers has been gone for almost 20 years, his spirit continues stronger than ever and his message lives on through projects like the documentary “Won’t You Be My Neighbor”, the feature movie starring Tom Hanks called “A Beautiful Day in the Neighborhood,” and on spinoff TV shows like “Daniel Tiger’s Neighborhood” on PBS.

 

___Follow KDKA Radio: Facebook | Twitter | InstagramListen to KDKA Radio on the Radio.com App - Download Now