Veteran Indianapolis broadcaster Charles “Chuck” Workman, known for his cool, mellow voice and expertise on jazz, died Sunday.
He was found in his home after failing to report to work at WICR-FM, where he hosted two jazz shows three days a week.
A member of the Indianapolis Jazz Foundation Hall of Fame and the Indiana Broadcasters Association’s Broadcast Pioneers Hall of Fame, Workman was 79.
“You can’t replace Chuck Workman on the radio,” WICR General Manager Scott Uecker said. “His legacy is assured in both broadcasting and the jazz community.”
Born in Terre Haute on Dec. 1, 1932, Workman was a jazz fan from his teens. When his family moved to Indianapolis, he found his way to the famed Indiana Avenue scene.
His broadcasting career began as a student at Cathedral High School in 1947 on the old WIRE-AM.
Workman got a job with WTLC-FM in 1967, and then joined WATI-AM as an engineer with a sports show on the side. He moved into TV with Channel 4 in 1969, becoming the first Black man to be named sports director in 1974.
He spent 19 years with WTPI-FM, broadcasting jazz every Sunday morning, until a format change in 2005. Months later, he was hired by WICR-FM, where his Saturday evening and Sunday morning shows continued until his death.
“Chuck was a true professional and a friend to all of us. We are so very fortunate for the time, the energy, the kindness, and the great jazz programming he provided,” Uecker said. “One of the hardest things I’ve had to do in my time at the University of Indianapolis was to tell our students of Chuck’s passing this morning. There isn’t a student who spent time with him who didn’t grow as a broadcaster and as a person because of his willingness to share himself and his experiences.”
At Recorder press time, funeral arrangements by Flanner & Buchanan were pending.
