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

W. Carter Merbreier
Born	(1926-08-02)August 2, 1926 Pleasantville, New Jersey, U.S.
Died	August 9, 2016(2016-08-09) (aged 90) Audubon, Pennsylvania, U.S.
Television	Captain Noah and His Magical Ark (1967 - 1994)
Spouse	Patricia Merbreier
Children	1 daughter
Parents	Adolphe Merbreier (father) Retta Carter (mother)

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.