Menu
Search by Name
Search by Name
BORN
1933
DIED
2022
Charles Benson Obituary
Upon returning from Korea, a buddy convinced Chuck to go check out a "quickie" radio school with him in downtown Chicago. Well, after one meeting with the microphone, the rest is history. Chuck broke into the business during the 1950's rise of Rock and Roll music and Top 40 Radio. For 30+ years he entertained listeners around the country. He was heard on WHFB (Benton Harbor), KALL (Salt Lake City), KBOX (Dallas), KILT (Houston), WGR (Buffalo) and KSIR (Estes Park). Chuck spent most of his radio career here in Chicago at WMAQ, WIND and WFYR. He worked alongside on-air greats like Clark Weber, Stu Collins, Dick Bartley, Kris Kridel, "Chicago" Eddie Schwartz and Kurt Russell, just to name a few. Chuck and Kurt Russell are one of the few non-newspaper celebrities whose picture hangs on The Wall of Fame at The Billy Goat Tavern on Lower Michigan Ave.
After leaving radio, Chuck had a successful 20 year voice-over career. He recorded hundreds of radio and TV commercials and industrial narrations for the likes of Lockheed Martin, Hewlett Packard and Jeppesen. He spent 18 years recording nearly 400 books for the National Library Service for the Blind and Physically Handicapped, a program of The Library of Congress. In 1996, Chuck received the Alexander Scourby Narrator of the Year Award for Fiction, to honor excellence in the narration of Talking Books, an award touted as the "Oscar" for the blind and visually impaired Americans. In 2000, Chuck won a Heartland Regional Emmy Award for narrating the documentary "Colorado's Historic Carousels".
Early in Chuck's career, he married the late Barbara Madgett. Though the marriage ended in divorce, it produced Chuck's three children, Christopher, Kathleen (Jensen) and Tracey. It was while working in Chicago at WFYR that he met the true love of his life: Barbara S. Brauer. (Chuck said "I only marry women named Barb!") They eloped to Las Vegas and were married on May 14, 1983. For over 39 years, they were joined at the hip, they were like peas and carrots.
After 20 years in Colorado and 5 in Arizona, Chuck finally retired in 2009 and Chuck and Barb moved back to Illinois. They enjoyed travel and spending time with family.
Chuck was preceded in death by his parents, his brother Joe, his sister Marlene (Grencer), his brother-in-law Jim Grencer and his nephew Mike Grencer. Chuck is survived by his wife, Barb, his children and grandchildren, his brother Bill (Yvonne), his sister-in-law Karole (the late Joe), his sister-in-law Marlene (John) Demstrom, along with many nieces and nephews.
The family plans to have a private celebration of Chuck's life at a later date. If you wish to make a donation in Chuck's memory, his favorite charities are Special Olympics Illinois and Honor Flight Chicago.
To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.
Memories and Condolences
for Charles Benson
Catherine Millis Juvonen
March 26, 2024
I am very sorry to hear about Chuck. He did a commercial for me and I hired his wife Barb. I´m sorry I never kept in touch. Hugs to Barb and his family
Brian Schaefer
December 12, 2023
I worked with a lot of people in radio in a 13 year on again, off again career. Chuck Benson was the best. I got to know him in the late summer of 1986 when I was all of 21 years old and just learning the ropes of the business. Chuck was a professional in every respect and helped make all of us into better broadcasters during his time at 1470 AM KSIR Estes Park. He was never too busy to talk to me and give me some helpful coaching and encouragement. It was always fun to be listening to one of the stations in Denver or elsewhere and hear Chuck's voice on a spot for some large advertiser and say to others in the car or to myself, "I know that guy. I used to work with him." He was a great talent and he will be missed.
Brian Schaefer
Estes Park, CO 80517
Lara Marcellino
September 23, 2022
I have the best memories of my Uncle Chuck! My earliest one was when he was a news caster in Chicago and he was introducing the grand opening of Great America! We were invited into the park w/ him before the park ever opened! It was such a exciting thing to do! I will never forget all the fun times with him and family! I feel bad I haven´t kept in touch the last few years after my husbands stroke! Sending love to Barb and Family! May God ease your pain and have his arms around Chuck as he returns home God Bless & Much Love Always, Lara& Tom Marcellino
Madeleine Miller
September 7, 2022
I am very saddened to learn about Chuck passing away. His wonderful wife, Barb, was the one who hired me at WFYR-FM, my first job in radio, and I worked with her for many years. It was great! Barb and I were the original team that produced Dick Bartley's oldies show at FYR, "Solid Gold Saturday Night." We had a blast. Chuck was just the nicest person on the planet and we had many wonderful conversations in the years that I worked there. He was a true gem. God bless you all! Mady
Herb Nestler
August 9, 2022
I worked with Chuck at WIND and produced many commercials and promotional spots with him doing the voice. Nobody I have ever met was as good as Chuck at interpreting a page of text, and with perfect timing. It pleases me to learn that he used his talents also to do texts for the blind. He had great ethics which did not prohibit his sense of humor.
Rita Ruffner
August 7, 2022
I know we have lost contact with you but we saw Chuck's obit today in the paper and wanted to say we are sorry for your loss. Your obituary was a great tribute to him and definitely voiced your love for him. It was evident you madly in love with one another. We hope you find comfort in your memories of life with him during your long marriage.
Mary-Anne & Bruce Yeoman
August 6, 2022
A special friend to us both. Will always remember the great times we shared with Chuck and Barb over the years. A great voice that can never be silenced. Rest peacefully Chuck.
Dick Bartley
August 6, 2022
Deeply saddened to learn of the passing of Chuck Benson. I am proud to have worked with Chuck at WFYR Radio (Chicago) in the 1980's. He was a gifted on-air personality and a trusted friend. Chuck's later accomplishments in the voice-over and narration fields are amazing and impressive. My sincere sympathies and best wishes to Chuck's family - especially to his dear wife Barb, who was an integral part of the original team that launched "Solid Gold Saturday Night" at WFYR.
Showing 1 - 8 of 8 results
Make a Donation
in Charles Benson's name
Please consider a donation as requested by the family.
Memorial Events
for Charles Benson
How to support Charles's loved ones
Honor a beloved veteran with a special tribute of ‘Taps’ at the National WWI Memorial in Washington, D.C.
The nightly ceremony in Washington, D.C. will be dedicated in honor of your loved one on the day of your choosing.
Read more
Should I Send Sympathy Flowers?
What kind of arrangement is appropriate, where should you send it, and when should you send an alternative?
Read more
What Should I Write in a Sympathy Card?
We'll help you find the right words to comfort your family member or loved one during this difficult time.
Read moreResources to help you cope with loss
Estate Settlement Guide
If you’re in charge of handling the affairs for a recently deceased loved one, this guide offers a helpful checklist.
Read more
Obituaries, grief & privacy: Legacy’s news editor on NPR podcast
Legacy's Linnea Crowther discusses how families talk about causes of death in the obituaries they write.
Read more
The Five Stages of Grief
They're not a map to follow, but simply a description of what people commonly feel.
Read moreWays to honor Charles Benson's life and legacy
Obituary Examples
You may find these well-written obituary examples helpful as you write about your own family.
Read more
Obituary Templates – Customizable Examples and Samples
These free blank templates make writing an obituary faster and easier.
Read more
How Do I Write a Eulogy?
Some basic help and starters when you have to write a tribute to someone you love.
Read more
