W. Carter Merbreier was born on August 2, 1926, and died on August 9, 2016.

He was an American television personality, ordained Lutheran minister and former police chaplain for the Philadelphia Police Department.

He created and co-hosted the long-running syndicated children’s television series, Captain Noah and His Magical Ark, in 1967.

His show aired until 1994.

He was the founder and co-hosted Captain Noah and His Magical Ark with his real-life wife, Patricia.

Carter played Captain Noah while Patricia Merbreier played Mrs. Noah and acted as the show’s puppeteer, starting with its 13th week on the air.

He had originally created the series as a Sunday morning religious program, but switched the format to a children’s show in 1970.

The show was filmed at the studios on WPVI (Channel 6), the Philadelphia Council of Churches produced the show.

When the show was 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.

W. Carter Merbreier and Patricia Merbreier jointly decided to retire and end the show in 1994 after co-hosting approximately 3,600 episodes since 1967.

Together they resided at their home in Gladwyne, Pennsylvania, following their retirement from the show.

Carter and Patricia Merbreier were jointly named “Persons of the Year” in 2001, by the Broadcast Pioneers of Philadelphia.

They insisted that their names be listed as Captain Noah and Mrs. Noah on the award.

Carter also served on the board of directors for the Broadcast Pioneers of Philadelphia.

Patricia died on June 23, 2011, aged 86, following a long illness.

survived by his daughter and two grandchildren.

W. Carter Merbreier passed away at 80 years old.