You may not recognize Fred McFeely Rogers by his given name, but if you had access to a television in the years 1968 to 2001, you’re bound to recognize him by his on-screen name: Mr. Rogers. He was a television host, author, producer, and friend to many children whose last words were simply heartbreaking. But what were they?
Mr. Rogers’ last words were not a statement but a question to his wife of 50 years: “Am I a sheep?”. The toddler televangelist’s last words can be described as haunting, vulnerable, and — in true Mr. Rogers style — immensely impactful.
But who was Mr. Rogers, really, and what did he impart to his impressionable audience? What is the deeper meaning behind his last words and what can we learn from them today? What is his legacy and message to the world he left behind? Let’s find out.
Mr. Rogers’ Last Words
Mr. Rogers retired in 2001 but he continued to lead an active life that consisted of making public appearances, studying religion and spirituality, and working in Saint Vincent College’s children’s media center. Just a year into his retirement, and after suffering from stomach ache for some time, he was diagnosed with stomach cancer.
On 6 January 2003, Mr. Rogers underwent stomach surgery. Sadly, on 27 February 2003, he passed away less than two months later at his Squirrel Hill home in Pittsburgh, just one month away from turning 75 years old. His wife, Joanne, was by his bedside.
As Mr. Rogers was a Presbyterian minister so it comes as no surprise that his last words had Christian connotations to them. When he asked Joanne “Am I a sheep?” Mr. Rogers was referring to the Last Judgement in the Bible.
In the Last Judgement, when referring to the coming of Christ, the Bible speaks of how a “shepherd separates the sheep from the goats, and he will place the sheep at his right hand, but the goats at the left… And they will go away into eternal punishment, but the righteous into eternal life.”
What this means is that as he lay on his deathbed, Mr. Rogers — who many believed to have lived a near-saintly life — was questioning whether he had done enough to gain entry into The Kingdom of Heaven, as his religious beliefs suggested.
Mr. Rogers’ Death and Funeral
The death of Mr. Rogers was widely publicized and those who grew up watching Mister Rogers’ Neighborhood mourned for the loss of their childhood inspiration. The day after the news broke about his passing, the media began paying tribute to the legend.
The Pittsburgh Post-Gazette, along with most metropolitan newspapers, covered his death on their front page, and many dedicated entire sections of their publications to celebrating his life, astounding career, and impact on his viewers. ABC and WQED both aired reruns of recent interviews with Mr. Rogers and the U.S.’s The House of Representatives issued a statement on his death in which they honored him.
His funeral, which was held on 1 March 2003 in a chapel that his father had restored, was attended by 80 of his closest family, friends, and industry colleagues. At the ceremony, his favorite Bible verses were recited by Reverend William Barker, Mr. Rogers’ close friend who voiced Mr. Platypus on the show.
Once the funeral was over, Mr. Rogers’ was interred in a mausoleum owned by his mother’s family at the Unity Cemetary in Pennsylvania. A month later, on 3 May 2003, 2,700 people — including local celebrities — attended his public memorial which was held in Pittsburgh’s Heinz Hall.
Mr. Rogers’ Legacy
To say that Mr. Rogers was an inspiration to many is an understatement. While it is difficult to measure his impact on everyday individuals, a handful of notable names have credited Mr.Rogers as their inspiration behind various projects.
The creator of the CBS children’s show Arthur, Marc Brown, called Mr. Rogers “a terrific role model” while his overarching career inspired the likes of Josh Selig, Angela Santomero, and even funnyman Eddie Murphy.
Mr. Rogers’ legacy lives on in his sons James Byrd Rogers and John Rogers, both of whom appeared on episodes of Mister Rogers’ Neighborhood as well in the 2018 documentary on his life Won’t You Be My Neighbor.
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