Bob Keeshan, who created the role of Captain Kangaroo, has died at age 76.

For all of us who grew up with Captain Kangaroo, Mr. Green Jeans, Dennis, Mr. Moose and Bunny Rabbit, Simon in the Land of Chalk Drawings, Bill Cosby’s Picture Pages that you could play at home, the Toothbrush Family, Captain Nemo, Slim Goodbody and those square-dancing tractors…this is a sad day. I was raised on Captain Kangaroo. I even referenced his name in my first comic book story.

You can reminisce with the help of this site and TVToMe.

Remember a few years ago when the people behind the Mighty Morphin’ Power Rangers, a show Keeshan disdained, tried to come out with a new Captain Kangaroo with someone else in the title role? Travesty! There is only one Captain Kangaroo.

I can only hope that someday my children can grow up with repeats of the real Captain Kangaroo, too. Perhaps on DVD box sets? It doesn’t seem like anyone is even trying to do a kids show these days. The recent “Cat In The Hat” movie shows that few people know how to connect with kids in an honest, non-ironic way.

Gee, we sure could use a man like Bob Keeshan agaiiiiiiiin…