A Gentle Soul

Publication: Pittsburgh Post-Gazette
Date: February 28, 2003

A GENTLE SOUL
Fans, Colleagues and Celebrities React to a Personal Loss

“It was the parade, the past New Year’s Day parade, as we rode those five miles, the gantlet of smiling faces waving [on] both sides of the street, and more times than I could count I heard people yelling, ‘Welcome to the neighborhood, Mister Rogers.’” – Bill Cosby, actor and comedian

“His legacy will be that he made millions of children feel safe and comforted in a time when so much of the bombardment of the media is overwhelming. For everything that we all agree is bad about television and children, he was the good of it. Nothing is as bad as he was good.” – Linda Ellerbee, host of ‘Nick News,’ Nickelodeon

“Today, our state has lost a great role model and our country has lost one of history’s greatest teachers. We should be mindful, though, that during his 74-year life, Mr. Rogers helped instill values in America’s children that will affect our nation for decades to come.” – Gov. Ed Rendell

“George and I join all Americans in mourning the death of a most remarkable man, Fred Rogers. Several generations of children, including our own, grew up with ‘Mister Rogers,’ always looking forward to time spent in his neighborhood. In addition to helping children learn everything from how to tie their shoes to appreciating jazz music, he also taught his young viewers the importance of sharing, being truthful and good manners. And he stressed the importance of reading and writing, for which he’ll always be one of my heroes. I was privileged to know Mr. Rogers several times, and was delighted to know he was a kind and gentle soul both on and off camera. He will be greatly missed, but leaves behind a legacy of love and learning.” – Barbara Bush, former first lady and mother of the president

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