I met "Mister Rogers" 10 years ago while attending the Art Institute of Pittsburgh. At the time, I worked as an intern in the design center of WQED in Pittsburgh, the public television station where Mister Rogers' Neighborhood was produced. The show was celebrating its 25th anniversary and Fred had just returned from the West Coast, where he had been a guest on The Arsenio Hall Show.

We became buddies after I drew a caricature of Fred, Arsenio and Lady Elaine Fairchilde (one my favorite puppets from the "Neighborhood of Make-Believe") and left it on a couch in his office. He loved the drawing and hung it up. 

Fred was the best listener I ever met. Whenever I felt down, chatting with him for a few minutes chased my blues away. Part of one of songs that he wrote and sang on the program went something like this: "If you will look carefully, listen carefully, you will learn a lot of things carefully. Look. Look. Look. And listen." I teach art to young people now and I really try to relay that message to my students.

One of my most emotional moments with Fred came when I followed him into the Children's Hospital of Pittsburgh. Fred extended his arms out to a roomful of sick, little people and it lit up. Kids smiled all over the place. It was remarkable.

When I graduated from the art institute, Fred left a message of congratulations on my answering machine. He then called back, disguising his voice as a handful of the puppets from the Neighborhood of Make-Believe. He also gave me an autographed toy trolley, like the one on his show, which happens to be my most prized possession.

Because I like baseball, Fred once took me to see a one-man play based on the life of baseball great Ty Cobb. He went incognito, wearing glasses and a bow tie. We bumped into a buddy of mine after the play and I introduced him to Fred. At first my friend didn't make the connection, then he stood in awe and blurted out, "Oh my gosh, THE REAL Mister Rogers."

Fred's passing has been rough for me because I didn't have a chance to tell him thank you and good-bye. The last time I talked with him was on my birthday, Sept. 11, which he always remembered. The last time I saw him was the spring of 2002, when he gave a speech at Penn State University. I took my grandmother to meet him. He told her, "Thank you for being such an influence in Cory's life." My grandmother told him the same thing.

I'd like everyone to know that there was only one Mister Rogers, just like there is only one of you. He was a unique individual. So are you. There is only one person in the whole world like you, and that is you, yourself. There will never be another Fred Rogers, but there will be many more people who will do many more wonderful things for so many wonderful people. Just like Fred did.

Fred once said, "Anyone who does anything for a child is a hero to me." Fred Rogers still is my hero.

Cory Geishauser of Johnstown, Pa., teaches art to grade school students at St. John's Elementary School in Lakemont. He is also a residence director for an assisted living facility and works part time for the Altoona Curve baseball team

 Fred Rogers and Cory early December 2000 final taping of Mr. Rogers' Neighborhood Interior set.  Trolley tracks behind Cory.  Final episode aired August 31st 2001, the same day Mr. McFeely threw out the first pitch at The Altoona Curve for PBS Night.