Sun, Jan 25 2004

Thanks, Mr. K

We said farewell to another fine human this past week. Bob Keeshan died at the age of 76. Like Fred Rogers, Bob Keeshan was a friend to both children and adults, but unlike Mr. Rogers, Mr. Keeshan did much of his communicating through the character of Captain Kangaroo. By adopting a grandfatherly-looking character, he was able to give himself a presence that spanned several decades of his own life, and ours. His gentle humor and acceptance of odd events (such as the ping pong ball showers) as part of everyday life had a subtle way of preparing children to face the more serious uncontrollable things that might happen to them away from the TV. And I have a confession. I watched him as a teen and as a (so-called) grown-up many times, and each time I was able to go back to a safe place in my memory and find centering and comfort.

We all know what Captain Kangaroo looked like. How could we ever forget that funny haircut and those big coat pockets he kept having to empty of ping pong balls? But take a moment now to look at this picture. That's Bob Keeshan. Because of him, we'll never really lose Captain Kangaroo.

posted at: 09:15 | category: /Arts and Entertainment | link to this entry