Philadelphia's 'Captain Noah' Has Died At Age 90
by Mark Abrams
PHILADELPHIA (CBS) -- For nearly 30 years, he was the host of a popular Philadelphia children's television show.
Now, the man who was best known to generations as Captain Noah has died at the age of 90.
His legal name was W. Carter Merbreier, an ordained Lutheran minister, who became a children's television icon.
To those who lived in the Philadelphia area, "Captain Noah and his Magical Ark" was an important part of their weekend.
It aired here on Channel 6 from 1970 to 1994. And during the 1970s, it was syndicated to 22 stations across the country.
During a 2013 interview with the Broadcast Pioneers of Philadelphia, Merbreier talked about the long-running success of the program..
"We did the show because of children, because I was always guaranteed that I would be able to present a good show for children and as long as we were able to do that I was going to stay on the air," he said.
His wife, Patricia Merbreier, joined him on the show as Mrs. Noah. It was their mutual decision to retire in 1994 and she passed away in June 2011.
Now, Captain Noah, remembered by millions, takes his own journey to join the love of his life.