W. Carter Merbreier

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 long-running syndicated children's television series, Captain Noah and His Magical Ark, in 1967.[1] The show aired until 1994.

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.