# RIP Mr.Rogers...... **URL:** \ **Category:** Cafe Society\ **Created:** [February 27, 2003, 10:37am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/rip-mr-rogers/157853 "2003-02-27T10:37:00Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 3
**Author:** ![TelcontarStorm](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/3ab097/32.png) [@TelcontarStorm](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/TelcontarStorm)\ **Post date:** [February 27, 2003, 4:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/rip-mr-rogers/157853/41 "2003-02-27T16:59:58Z")
I can say I did learn _one_ thing from Mr.R as an adult. And that was how to slow down and let the world pass you by and just relax.For both myself and Little Tel watching Mr.R lead to naps. I never knew he had a Mission. There was something very comforting about his presence, made you feel like “Daddy” was near by and everything would be just fine. Dosn’t the Devine presence show itself in wonderfull and strange ways. I think the world will be a little less ‘quiet’ without him. ---
**Author:** ![Koffing](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/898d66/32.png) [@Koffing](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Koffing)\ **Post date:** [February 27, 2003, 5:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/rip-mr-rogers/157853/42 "2003-02-27T17:12:38Z")
Mister Rogers played a _huge_ role in making me who I am today. Having grown up in Pittsburgh, it was extra special because I knew that that magic trolley was around here! I actually met him once when I was picking up a suit from the tailor. I heard the tailor say, “Hi, Mister Rogers.” Even as I was thinking, _No way…_, I turned around, and there he was! I turned into some kind of combination of a fanboy and a six-year old. I wasn’t pestering him for autographs or anything, but wow! He was really nice, too. ---
**Author:** ![cmkeller](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/cmkeller/32/118_2.png) [@cmkeller](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/cmkeller)\ **Post date:** [February 27, 2003, 5:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/rip-mr-rogers/157853/43 "2003-02-27T17:35:19Z")
Welcome to the neighborhood of Make-Believe. Population = prev\_Population + 1. Farewell, old friend. This world misses you already. ---
**Author:** ![tiny\_ham](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/a183cd/32.png) [@tiny\_ham](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/tiny_ham)\ **Post date:** [February 27, 2003, 5:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/rip-mr-rogers/157853/44 "2003-02-27T17:38:12Z")
meow meow crying meow. ☹ ---
**Author:** ![iampunha](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/i/74df32/32.png) [@iampunha](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/iampunha)\ **Post date:** [February 27, 2003, 5:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/rip-mr-rogers/157853/45 "2003-02-27T17:49:52Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by DoctorJ \* > More thoughts, from someone who’s been up way too long: > > A lot of people are surprised to hear that Mr. Rogers was an ordained Presbyterian minister. I don’t recall that he ever talked about religion or the Bible or anything like that on his show. He certainly didn’t wear it on his sleeve. That struck me as well. He never used his book or his robe to lash out at another … at least not that I can ever recall. Love was all he needed. And it served him well. ☹ ---
**Author:** ![LifeOnWry](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/96bed5/32.png) [@LifeOnWry](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/LifeOnWry)\ **Post date:** [February 27, 2003, 5:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/rip-mr-rogers/157853/46 "2003-02-27T17:52:14Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by DoctorJ \* > \*\* > Still, no one that I can think of in my lifetime has done more for the cause of the second greatest commandment, to love thy neighbor as thyself, as Mr. Rogers. He did thirty years’ worth of shows on exactly that theme. He taught about kindness, compassion, patience, and respect by becoming a living example, and his name is synonymous with those qualities to anyone in this country of sufficient age. > > There’s a lesson there, I think. \*\* I don’t think that could have been said ANY better. ---
**Author:** ![Slithy\_Tove](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/slithy_tove/32/18248_2.png) [@Slithy\_Tove](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Slithy_Tove)\ **Post date:** [February 27, 2003, 5:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/rip-mr-rogers/157853/47 "2003-02-27T17:55:32Z")
He wasn’t on my viewing area as a kid, so I grew up with the more sardonic Captain Kangaroo. But a couple of years ago, on the new Candid Camera, they did a prank at a convention of TV reviewers, where they put them in hotel rooms with no televison sets. All the other reviewers threw prima-donna grade hissy fits, abusing the staff without restraint. All except Fred Rodgers. His attitude was “Oh, well, that’s Ok. I know you’ll do your best.” The Candid Camera staffers couldn’t believe he was that cool about it, and turned the focus of the bit into how easy-going this guy was IRL, because he kept insisting that everything would be okay. ---
**Author:** ![Baker](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/bb73d2/32.png) [@Baker](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Baker)\ **Post date:** [February 27, 2003, 6:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/rip-mr-rogers/157853/48 "2003-02-27T18:11:34Z")
I was another who didn’t see Mr. Roger’s, we had Captain Kangaroo(Bob Keeshan). When _he_ goes I know I will cry my eyes out. Mr Green Jeans, Dancing Bear, Mr. Moose, and, most especially, Bunny Rabbit. I learned a lot from the Captain. One time I was reading a National Geographic article on China, and there was in the article a picture, with captions, about a guy who fished with cormorants. He sent the birds down into the water and they fetched back the fish. A cord tied around their neck prevented them from swallowing. This method was said to be very old in China. And suddenly, like a light coming on, I remembered a story on CK about a young boy in China doing the same thing. So it was real, I thought, not fiction. And I learned the meaning of all the slang terms in “Waltzing Matilda” one of his records. ---
**Author:** ![Tars\_Tarkas](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/6a8cbe/32.png) [@Tars\_Tarkas](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Tars_Tarkas)\ **Post date:** [February 27, 2003, 6:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/rip-mr-rogers/157853/49 "2003-02-27T18:26:46Z")
☹ ---
**Author:** ![gonzoron](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/a6a055/32.png) [@gonzoron](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/gonzoron)\ **Post date:** [February 27, 2003, 6:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/rip-mr-rogers/157853/50 "2003-02-27T18:44:18Z")
Goodbye, neighbor. _I’m proud of you, I’m proud of you, I hope that you’re as proud as I am…_ ☹ ---
**Author:** ![Hedda\_Rosa](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/hedda_rosa/32/1204_2.png) [@Hedda\_Rosa](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Hedda_Rosa)\ **Post date:** [February 27, 2003, 6:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/rip-mr-rogers/157853/51 "2003-02-27T18:50:47Z")
Help! A dingy co-worker insists that Fred Rogers was arrested for molesting a child. Snopes won’t open. Can anyone else help me to re-educate her? This has got to be an urban legend, right? :😭: Mr. Rogers was my childhood in so many ways. He will be sorely missed. Twiddle ---
**Author:** ![Phantomkat](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/e9a140/32.png) [@Phantomkat](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Phantomkat)\ **Post date:** [February 27, 2003, 7:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/rip-mr-rogers/157853/52 "2003-02-27T19:02:07Z")
Mr. Rogers will truly be missed. I grew up watching him and right now I’m sitting at work trying desperately not to cry. It’s really nice to hear how many lives he touched, young and old. I’m sure he’s smiling down on everyone. _sniffles_ ---
**Author:** ![RickJay](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/bb73d2/32.png) [@RickJay](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/RickJay)\ **Post date:** [February 27, 2003, 7:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/rip-mr-rogers/157853/53 "2003-02-27T19:09:37Z")
Mr. Rogers told [salon.com](http://salon.com): > [@](#): > > “The whole idea,” Fred Rogers recently told Jeff Greenfield in a CNN interview, “is to look at the television camera and present as much love as you possibly could to a person who might feel that he or she needs it.” Words of wisdom, my friends. Words of love and wisdom. And so, heaven is now a better neighborhood. ---
**Author:** ![SpasticKitty](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/ebca7d/32.png) [@SpasticKitty](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/SpasticKitty)\ **Post date:** [February 27, 2003, 7:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/rip-mr-rogers/157853/54 "2003-02-27T19:13:04Z")
Today is my 19th birthday. When I read about Mr. Rogers on MSN this morning, I was so sad. I grew up watching Mr. Rogers, and knowing that he died the same day I turned 19 just made me cry. But then I started thinking about what a wonderful life he led and how many lives he touched with his loving, gentle manner. As a kid, I was always fascinated with his sweaters and the way he changed his shoes before he went anywhere. I loved the trolley and all the puppets, especially the kitty! And now he’s in Heaven, looking down on all of us and smiling because he truly had a wonderful life. Rest in Peace, Neighbor. ---
**Author:** ![NotWithoutRage](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/22d042/32.png) [@NotWithoutRage](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/NotWithoutRage)\ **Post date:** [February 27, 2003, 7:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/rip-mr-rogers/157853/55 "2003-02-27T19:17:39Z")
I’m watching “Mr. Roger’s Neighborhood” on PBS right now. I probably haven’t seen the show in 15 years or so, though it was almost all I would watch when I was very little. What a kind, gentle man. And a fabulous show. ---
**Author:** ![Terrifel](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/c68b51/32.png) [@Terrifel](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Terrifel)\ **Post date:** [February 27, 2003, 7:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/rip-mr-rogers/157853/56 "2003-02-27T19:17:54Z")
“…You are my friend, You’re special to me. There’s only one in this wonderful world, You…are…special.” Goodbye, Mister Rogers. ---
**Author:** ![TGWATY](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/b5e925/32.png) [@TGWATY](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/TGWATY)\ **Post date:** [February 27, 2003, 7:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/rip-mr-rogers/157853/57 "2003-02-27T19:32:55Z")
_It’s such a good feeling to know you’re alive. It’s such a happy feeling – you’re growing inside. And when you wake up ready to say, “I think I’ll make a snappy new day.” (snap! snap!) It’s such a good feeling, a very good feeling, the feeling you know that I’ll be back when the day is new and I’ll have more ideas for you. And you’ll have things you’ll want to talk about. I will too._ We look forward to that new day. We do have things we want to talk about. God bless you, Mr. Rogers. Listen to an interview with our beloved neighbor here: [http://discover.npr.org/features/feature.jhtml?wfId=836843](http://discover.npr.org/features/feature.jhtml?wfId=836843) ---
**Author:** ![GraceTX](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/c4cdca/32.png) [@GraceTX](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/GraceTX)\ **Post date:** [February 27, 2003, 7:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/rip-mr-rogers/157853/58 "2003-02-27T19:55:17Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by Koffing \* > \*\*\ I turned around, and there he was! I turned into some kind of combination of a fanboy and a six-year old. I wasn’t pestering him for autographs or anything, but wow! He was really nice, too. \*\* I vaguely recall reading a magazine of his appearance on Jay Leno. I think Tori Spelling and someone else were also on the show that day and they went _fan crazy_ meeting him in the green room. ---
**Author:** ![SCSimmons](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/e495f1/32.png) [@SCSimmons](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/SCSimmons)\ **Post date:** [February 27, 2003, 8:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/rip-mr-rogers/157853/59 "2003-02-27T20:34:57Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by Tristan \* > \*\*If I had a sweater, I would wear it tomorrow just for this. \*\* Odd. I was supposed to wear a shirt and tie to work today, but I got rebellious and wore a sweater instead … That was before I’d heard the news. Synchronicity? I ran across the notice online-while my kids were sitting five feet away, watching (of course) _Mr. Rogers’ Neighboorhood_. I stifled my exclamation just then, but I’ll have to sit down with them tonight. Not looking forward to that. This was the only kids’ show that I really liked sitting down and watching with them. Not for me (although I sometimes got some warm fuzzies from childhood memories), but because it always gave me some things to talk about with them, both while the show was on and later in the day. Or even days later: “Hey, isn’t that kind of like the problem that Prince Tuesday and Daniel Tiger were having last week?” Rest in peace, Fred. And, although I’m an atheist, I am still moved to say, “Welcome to your new neighboorhood.” If there’s a heaven, he’s there, and probably already telling stories to the children. ☹ Criminy, I’m starting to cry. Better sign off and get back to work. ---
**Author:** ![SCSimmons](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/e495f1/32.png) [@SCSimmons](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/SCSimmons)\ **Post date:** [February 27, 2003, 8:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/rip-mr-rogers/157853/60 "2003-02-27T20:44:12Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by Twiddle \* > \*\*Help! A dingy co-worker insists that Fred Rogers was arrested for molesting a child. Snopes won’t open. Can anyone else help me to re-educate her? This has got to be an urban legend, right? > \*\* That’s not even an urban legend-she must be making it up. The only Mr. Rogers legend showing up on any sites I’ve been able to find is that he was a U.S. Army sniper. (Which is roundly debunked on several sites.) Paul “Pee-wee Herman” Reubens’ show was canceled almost instantaneously after he was arrested for masturbating in an adult theater. Fred Rogers would not have been on the air after an arrest for a crime of that type, even if he had been acquitted. Public perception counts for a lot in the entertainment industry. And if anyone spouts that )\*&@(^ lie to me, I hope they wait until my dislocated finger heals, so I can give them what they’re asking for. :mad: [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/rip-mr-rogers/157853.md?page=2) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/rip-mr-rogers/157853.md?page=4)