Edward Kean, the main writer of Baby Boomer TV staple "The Howdy Doody Show" has died. He was 85.
Kean wrote the theme song "It's Howdy Doody Time" and is credited with coining the word "kowabunga."
Kean died Aug. 13 at a nursing care facility in West Bloomfield Township, Michigan, due to complications from emphysema, family friend Del Reddy told the Associated Press.
"He influenced a whole generation of kids through his writing," Reddy said. "He was a prolific writer. He would take his typewriter, even on the road."
"Howdy Doody" aired on NBC from 1947 to 1960. Kean wrote for the show until 1954.
