W. Carter Merbreier (August 2, 1926 – August 9, 2016) was an American television personality, ordained Lutheran minister and former police chaplain for the Philadelphia Police Department.[1] Merbreier created and co-hosted the syndicated children's television series, Captain Noah and His Magical Ark, in 1967.[1] The show aired until 1994.
W. Carter Merbreier | |
|---|---|
| Born | August 2, 1926 |
| Died | August 9, 2016 (aged 90) Audubon, Pennsylvania, U.S. |
| Television | Captain Noah and His Magical Ark (1967 - 1994) |
| Spouse | Patricia Merbreier |
| Children | 1 daughter |
| Parents |
|
Born to Adolphe and Retta (née Carter) Merbreier, Carter Merbreier (he apparently later added the initial "W.") co-hosted Captain Noah and His Magical Ark with his real-life wife, Patricia.[1] He played Captain Noah while Patricia Merbreier played Mrs. Noah and acted as the show's puppeteer, beginning with its 13th week on the air. Merbreier originally created the series as a Sunday morning religious program, but switched the format to a children's show in 1970. The Philadelphia Council of Churches produced the show, which was filmed at the studios on WPVI (Channel 6).[1] At its peak in the early 1970s, Merbreier's Captain Noah and His Magical Ark aired in syndication on twenty-two television stations throughout the United States and attracted a larger local Philadelphia audience than both Captain Kangaroo and Sesame Street combined.[1]
Carter and Patricia Merbreier jointly decided to retire and end the show in 1994 after co-hosting approximately 3,600 episodes since 1967.[2][3] They resided at their home in Gladwyne, Pennsylvania, following their retirement from the show.[2]
In 2001, Carter and Patricia Merbreier were jointly named "Persons of the Year" by the Broadcast Pioneers of Philadelphia.[2] Both insisted that their names be listed as Captain Noah and Mrs. Noah on the award.[2] Carter Merbreier also served on the board of directors for the Broadcast Pioneers of Philadelphia.[3] Patricia Merbreier died on June 23, 2011, aged 86, following a long illness. Merbreier died at the age of 90, on August 9, 2016,[4] he was survived by his daughter and two grandchildren.
References
edit- ^ a b c d e Wood, Sam (2011-06-24). "TV's Mrs. Noah, 86, of 'Captain Noah and His Magical Ark' dies". Philadelphia Inquirer. Archived from the original on January 4, 2013. Retrieved 2011-06-27.
- ^ a b c d Eichel, Molly (2011-06-25). "Patricia Merbreier, 'Mrs. Noah', dies at 86". Philadelphia Inquirer. Archived from the original on June 30, 2011. Retrieved 2011-06-27.
- ^ a b "Pat Merbreier has died". WPVI. 2011-06-27. Retrieved 2011-06-27.
- ^ 6ABC. "Philadelphia TV Pioneer Captain Noah dies at age 90". www.6abc.com. Retrieved 2016-08-08.
{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: numeric names: authors list (link)
External links
edit- W. Carter Merbreier on YouTube; accessed July 25, 2015.