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Genre: Non-Fiction Narrative/Memoir
Word Count: 100
GOOD MORNING, CAPTAIN
In October 1955, Bob Keeshan formerly Claribel on the Howdy Doody show, donned a white wig and, at 28, became gentle Captain Kangaroo, everyone’s beloved grandfather in a red coat with huge pockets.
His love for children shone through. Every morning. I joined him, carrot-nabbing Bunny Rabbit, Grandfather Clock, and Dancing Bear.
However, in researching him, I found no juicy stories, save one:
After Keeshan’s death in 2004, his grandson Bretton buried a photo of the two of them on Mt. Everest. A tribute to the gentleman’s true character.
PS: Contrary to urban legend, Keeshan was never a war hero.
I don’t know if Captain Kangaroo ever made it across the pond, but those of us in the States of a certain age, he was a good friend and grandfather figure from 1955-1984. Every morning he showed us the wonders of his Treasure House.
Rochelle Wisoff-Fields-Addicted to Purple 
I’m afraid he’s completely foreign to us Brits, at least he is to me. But your fondness sings through
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Dear Neil,
I kind of gathered he was strictly an American icon. And one we baby boomers would remember. Huge part of my ancient childhood. 😉 Thank you.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Must’ve been a lovable character
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Dear Sadje,
He was the quintessential granpa who read stories and made us laugh. Thank you.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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How nice.
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I’ve heard of Captain Kangaroo, but that’s about all. I don’t recall seeing him on tv, but he sounds like a wonderful character with good old-fashioned caring values for young viewers.
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Dear Fleur,
I don’t think our captain K made it out of the States. He loved children and bemoaned the trends in television toward violence. He and Mr. Rogers were actually good friends. Thank you for your comments.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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It’s interesting that his character name is after one of Australia’s animals. It works though. Very catchy.
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A sweet capture of childhood from yesteryear. Every generation has a “Captain Kangeroo”.
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Dear Tanille,
Hopefully every generation has one. I’m not so sure about the current generation. Thank you.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Maybe Big Bird and Elmo are still popular?
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The Captain was great. I didn’t watch often, but that had a lot more to do with the fact that I didn’t watch much TV as a child – my only memories of TV before the 1970s, including Captain Kangaroo, was at other people’s houses. What I do remember about the show is that I really enjoyed it.
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Dear Trent,
By the time the captain was broadcast in color I’d outgrown the show, only catching a time or two. By the 70’s I was an adult with small children. I don’t think they ever watched it. They were more into Sesame Street. At any rate Mr. Keeshan was a huge part of my early childhood. 😉 Thank you.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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He was on very early in the morning during my day. He was not Frank Zappa’s father~
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Dear Larry,
I guess I missed out on that myth. The one that still makes the rounds is that of him having been a decorated war hero. In reality, he joined at the end of the war and never made it overseas. Viva those of us who remember the captain. Watch out for falling ping pong balls.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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He and Mr Green Jeans were the young un’s version of Johnny Carson and Ed McMahon~ Shalom~
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Now that you mention it. Yes, they certainly were. 😀
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Sounds like one of those nice shows we loved to grow up on.
If I may, I think there are a couple of typos in your post – a period for a comma between Bunny Rabbit and Grandfather Clock, and an extra e on ‘overseas’. Didn’t detract from the clear fondness and reminiscence of the piece though.
There are many kinds of heroes. Sounds like he was one, even if he never went to war.
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Dear Jen,
Every child should have a Captain Kangaroo or Mr. Rogers in their life. I’m sorry his show never made it across the pond. But I’m sure there were good role models over there as well. In fact I think one or two have been shared in FF. 😀
Good keen eyes. my friend. Thank you for catching the typos. 😉
Shalom,
Rochelle
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So funny to learn that he was only 28 years old. He seemed ancient to me as a kid. I also loved the show. I remember how nice he was, as was Mr. Green Jeans. We had b&w TV back then so I guess we were supposed to imagine his jeans were green?
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Dear Lisa,
By the time we had a color TV I think I’d outgrown him. 😉 Unlike my dad, the captain never raised his voice. He managed to keep calm…well most of the time.. There were those pesky ping pong balls that Mr. Moose had dropped on him. Thanks for reading and commenting.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Rochelle, I liked that crew, but I liked the crews on Sesame Street and Mr. Rogers Neighborhood just as much if not more as my kids were growing up. I’m geeked to say my younger son is now having my little granddaughter watching Sesame Street (and I hope Mr. Rogers but haven’t asked them about it yet.) You are very welcome.
Shalom,
Lisa
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Dear Lisa,
I watched Sesame Street with my kids. I wasn’t all that keen on Mr. Rogers in the day but he had a way of growing on you. 😉 I love the fact that Mr. Rogers and Captain Kangaroo appeared on each other’s shows and were good friends in real life. 😀
Shalom,
Rochelle
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I had no idea they did and they were! Awesome!
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I remember how popular he was but not for me. Our children certainly loved him as well as several generations. I love the picture of you as a cute little girl. You still are. (Cute & little. Lol)
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Dear Jan,
By the time your family had a TV you were past the CK age group. I honestly don’t remember our kids watching him. Sesame Street and Mr. Rogers, yes. Thanks m’luv.
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He was–and still is–an iconic figure in children’s television entertainment. Thanks for this reminder.
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Dear Linda,
He was definitely an American icon. I adored him as a child. How could you not? Thank you.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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I remember Captain Kangaroo as a child. Thank you for bring back those memories and letting us know more about who he was.
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Dear Frank,
I really wish I could’ve found more out about him than I did. Apparently he did a good job of keeping his personal life private. Thank you.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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We didn’t have much in the way of television but when I would visit with my grandmother in town she had the Captain on while she ironed. We’d watch the show together. Thanks for the memories!
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Dear Dee,
I’m always happy to share those happy memories. 😉 Thank you.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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He actually freaked me out a little. Mr Rodgers was more my speed!
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Interesting, Clare. Note, Bob Keeshan and Fred Rogers were good friends who shared similar views about children. .
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Those where the days. I remember listening to the radio, and going to the cinema, and so on. It was good to drift back if only for a few minutes
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Dear Michael,
I agree. A little nostalgia does a body good. 😉 Thank yoiu.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Dear Rochelle,
After so long it’s great to be back at FF again! What a character Captain Kangaroo was – Unforgettable is the least of the adjectives to describe him! As are you, no wonder you’re a fan 🙂
Shalom aleichem,
Dora
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Dear Dora,
So good to see you back in Purpleville. 😉 The Captain was one of a kind and huge part of a Baby Boomer’s childhood. In one interview I saw, one of his costars said he never allowed them to call children “kids.” His genuine love and respect shone through the screen, didn’t it? Thank you.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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I think, perhaps its my age, that children’s entertainment was once warm and kind, and fatherly. Many of today’s children’s TV seems over actively slap dash. Just my view.
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Dear James,
That was exactly Mr. Keeshan’s complaint. He hated where children’s television was going. Too much violence and too little respect. Thank you.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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He sounds like someone I would have really enjoyed watching as a kiddy-wink!
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Dear Keith,
Kiddy-wink? How cute. I certainly enjoyed the captain. 😉 Thank you.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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He doesn’t ring any bells with me, but we didn’t have a TV till I was ten.
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Dear Liz,
I doubt that if you’d had a TV you’d have heard of him. He was primarily an American icon. Thank you for reading.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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I never watched Mr. Rogers or Sesame Street but did watch Captain Kangaroo. Mr. Green Jeans was a favorite for me. On my first read of your story, it seemed like Bob Keeshan and his grandson had their photo taken on Everest and I thought, wow! But now I see the sentence can be read two ways.
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Dear Sascha,
Mr. Rogers wasn’t a thing while I was growing up. But the Captain…Thanks to Bunny Rabbit I developed a love for raw carrots. 😉 Thank you.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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You’re very welcome, Rochelle!
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We didn’t have a T.V. when I was growing up, but I saw him on our neighbor’s every now and again. I don’t really have any memories of him.
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Dear Lish,
I loved Tom Terrific and Manfred the Wonder Dog. And the way the Captain would sit and read stories. Thank you for reading and leaving a comment.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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A lovely story.
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Thank you, Neel.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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what a lovely tribute his grandfather. well done.
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Dear Plaridel,
I think the grandson’s tribute speaks volumes about family values. Thank you.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Ooh! No, I’ve not heard of him!
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Dear Stars,
A lot of people have never heard of him. 😉 Thank you for taking the time to read.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Rochelle,
as a Canadian and someone who didn’t get a TV until 1990, I missed seeing him on TV but I know about him through his fame. I was thinking that with streaming services, that kind of daily TV show isn’t really possible anymore, or at least not as common.
Hope you’re doing well.
David
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Dear David,
I don’t know that Captain Kangaroo made it across the border. Not to mention that by 1990 he was a thing of the past. Sadly, children’s television leaves much to be desired IMHO these days. Thank you for stopping by Purpleville. 😉
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Unfamiliar here too but sounds like a great kids show! What fabulous memories!
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Dear Laurie,
I’m not surprised you never heard of him. You’re too young and not American. 😉 For me, he is a fond memory. Thank you for your kind comments.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Hello Rochelle! Happy to be able to finally join the party. Thank you for your lovely snippet and the inspiration not to mention push to be part of this amazing forum. Happy Diwali!
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Dear Dahlia,
I’m so pleased you were able to join us this week. Thank you for reading and commenting.
Shalom and Happy Diwali,
Rochelle
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Thank you so much for the unquestioning sanctuary of FrIday Fictioneers.
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Well done, Rochelle.
While a mere generational blip, influential or not, I do remember Captain K. and the show’s characters well. Well remembered and well done. 🙂
Peace,
Bill
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Dear Bill,
I thought you might be of the generation who would remember him. 😉 Thank you for taking the time to leave such an affirming comment. ❤ 😀
Shalom,
Rochelle
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I do. Him, that show, and others.
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I do enjoy childhood memories. I’m neither the right age nor the right nationality to remember this, but thank you for sharing.
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