“It’s sad for the upcoming generation because they do not get to experience him,” Novak said.

Nicole E. Weiss, a graduate student in school leadership at the Graduate School of Education, said she thinks the passing of Mr. Rogers is especially sad for all the children who will miss out on his warmth.

“He was a comforting face that kids recognized; I had the opportunity to learn a lot from him,” Weiss said.

Rogers had a lot to teach, especially because he studied early childhood development at the University of Pittsburgh and consulted with an expert there over the years.

Weiss said she had a special bond with Rogers, a bond she tried to strengthen by writing to him in the first grade and asking him to come to her violin recital.

Rogers wrote back, explaining that they could only be TV friends, but that he was very proud of her.

Weiss still has that letter, and she said she will always remember the many good years of TV friendship they shared.

“I hope the re-runs continue,” she said.

—Staff writer Maria S. Pedroza can be reached at mpedroza@fas.harvard.edu.