Rogers hosted the PBS show "Mister Rogers' Neighborhood" and was known for the calm and gentle manner in which he patiently explained topics to children that weren't always so easy for parents to discuss. Dressed in his trademark cardigan sweater and sneakers, he opened and closed his show with the chant of, "It's a beautiful day in the neighborhood."

On his show, Rogers guided his audience on trolley rides into the 'Neighborhood of Make Believe' and used puppets like King Friday and Queen Saturday to teach a wide range of topics. His main message to children was, "There's only one person in the whole world like you" and he used his show to teach them how to share with each other, deal with divorce, anger and fear and even what to expect from a visit to the dentist. During the Persian Gulf War, he sought to alleviate anxiety about war.

Rogers was born in Latrobe, PA and became an ordained Presbyterian minister. He studied early childhood development at the University of Pittsburgh before he began the series. The show ran from 1968 until 2000, although PBS stations continued to air re-runs.

Mr. Rogers said he created his show to counteract the violence and negativity of television programming.

"We only have one life to live on earth," Rogers said after being inducted into the Television Hall of Fame in 1999. "Through television, we have the choice of encouraging others to demean this life or to cherish it in creative and imaginative ways."

Long time fans would say that the show's popularity was the result of Rogers sincere concern and love for children. "These kids give you such hope," he said. "Maybe they realize that you don't have to be macho to be acceptable, and that everybody longs to be loved and feel that he or she is capable of loving. I would hope that is one of the major influences of the Neighborhood."

For more information on Fred Rogers and his show Mister Rogers' Neighborhood, click on http://pbskids.org/rogers/.

-- By Raven Tyler, NewsHour Extra