"Today, January 23, 2004, the world lost a true pioneer in children's television: Bob Keeshan, aka "Captain Kangaroo".
"Captain Kangaroo was a major influence on me, first as a child who adoringly watched him constantly on television and later, when I grew up, as a fellow children's television host who strongly shared in his opinion that television should be a "safe place" for children. I am pleased to say that I had the wonderful honor of meeting the Captain a number of years ago backstage at a television studio. I was so in awe of having the chance to meet him and tell him what a special impact he made on my life after all of the years that I watched him as a child, I remember walking away with tears in my eyes after meeting him. He was, and remains, one of the major reasons that I became interested in becoming a children's television host. I am very sad to hear of his passing and I will remain committed to honoring his legacy in my professional life by always striving to create quality, family-oriented, "kid safe" programming. "
"Rest in peace, Captain. GOD bless you."
Bob Keeshan, know as television's Captain Kangaroo.
Keeshan, who gently entertained and educated generations of children as television's walrus-mustachioed Captain Kangaroo, died Friday, Jan. 23, 2004, at 76. Keeshan died of a long illness, his family said in a statement. (AP Photo)
