Charles Benjamin, age 85, retired broadcaster, died on October 16th, 2009 in Jacksonville, Florida.
Mr. Benjamin was born in Appleton, Wisconsin, August 4th, 1924. He graduated from Appleton High School and attended the University of Wisconsin briefly before going into military service. He received a BA degree from the University of Michigan after the war. He served as a Lieutenant in the Marine Corps in World War Two and as a Captain during the Korean War.
Known as Bruce Charles in his broadcasting career, he worked as a staff announcer in radio’s earlier days, a disk jockey, and finally a news man. He worked 18 years at WHK in Cleveland and 25 years at WNEW in New York City. He retired in 1987.
In 1947, Mr. Benjamin married Elizabeth Mary Stevens, also of Appleton. Mrs. Benjamin passed away in August of 1993. Mr. Benjamin is survived by four children: Judith (Michel) Bejot of Paris, France; Steven (Jeri) Benjamin of Jacksonville, Florida; Barbara (Dwight) Benjamin-Creel of Atlanta, Georgia; and Mary Benjamin of New York City. He is also survived by three grandchildren: Zoe Rathert of Paris and Bret and Ryan Benjamin of Jacksonville.
Services will be held at the Wichmann Funeral Home in Appleton, Wisconsin at 11a.m. on Saturday, October 24th, 2009, with visitation starting at 10 a.m. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Salvation Army.
Wichmann Funeral Home
537 North Superior Street
Appleton, WI 54911
(920) 739-1231
Edward Brown Post to the Wichmann Funeral Home website
Amid the noise and flying coattails of the WNEW newsroom on any typical day, Bruce was a solid, silent presence, managing always to filter out the tumult, prepare his copy, beat the clock and deliver the news flawlessly with Elmer Davis mid-western calm. He was very much a gentle man on and off the air. Those who worked with him are fortunate to have known him as a colleague and to have called him friend.
Edward Brown