The Online Reflector

Charles “Chuck”  Workman, a WICR on-air personality and groundbreaking Indianapolis broadcaster, passed away on Sunday, March 25 at age 79. Workman hosted two radio programs three days a week for the University of Indianapolis student-operated station.

According to WICR Programming Director Russ Maloney, Workman left a legacy of passion for broadcasting.

“It is impossible to overstate the impact he had on broadcasting and jazz in Indiana,” Maloney said.

Workman, a native of Indianapolis, entered the broadcasting field in 1967, when he became music director for WTLC-FM. From there, he spent time with WTTV as a sportscaster, where he later became the first Hoosier African-American sports director in 1974.

“He was proud of what he did on the air,” Maloney said. “Everything he did exuded class.”

Workman hosted jazz programs on WIAN, WFYI and WTPI. He also wrote a jazz column for NUVO for 17 years. In 2006, he joined WICR-FM.

“He believed in our mission of working with students,” Maloney said. “Students produce those shows, and they loved it. They loved working with him.”

Workman treated students as equal professionals, according to Joseph Boehnlein, UIndy alumnus and director of broadcast engineering for WICR. When Workman joined the station in 2006, Boehnlein held the then-student position of programming director.

“It didn’t matter to him if you were a student or adult, he treated you the same,” Boehnlein said. “He was very down-to-business but had a light side, too.”

Sophomore communication major Derrick Lowhorn produced Workman’s show as part of his duties as a WICR staff member.

“He’s the sort of person you remember for the rest of your life,” Lowhorn said. “He was beyond loyal to the station, students and broadcasting.”

Workman’s commitment to running his own shows live, rather than using modern voice tracking technology, influenced Lowhorn’s opinion for his own future.

“Someone who’s live projects more credibility and honesty,” Lowhorn said. “What you listen to is what you get. He had done it this way for over 40 years and preferred to do his shows live. It just rubbed off on me.”

Workman was recognized by the Black Expo in 2010 with the Lynn Dean Ford Print Award for his influence on jazz culture. He is a member of the Indianapolis Jazz Foundation’s Hall of Fame. Maloney said that jazz promoters nationwide held Workman in high regard for his impact.

“He was very respected for his energy and excitement about jazz and just his knowledge,” Maloney said.

During the WICR’s annual fund drive or Jazz Fest, Workman would spend extra time at the station, according to Maloney.

“He would literally be bouncing off the walls,” Maloney said. “He would talk about how busy he was, but he wouldn’t be negative about it.”

While Workman’s shows only filled four hours of weekly programming for WICR, Maloney feels that the station has lost a great host and student mentor.

“You don’t replace Chuck Workman,” Maloney said. “You just can’t. He only filled four hours a week, but it was four of our best.”

Boehnlein felt that Workman’s knowledge is irreplaceable for the station.

“We’ve really lost a lot with him [Workman] being gone,” Boehnlein said. “No matter what question you asked, he always had an answer.”

Lowhorn said that communication students with an electronic media emphasis will miss Workman’s knowledge and guidance.

“He dedicated himself to bettering students,” Lowhorn said. “He touched all of our lives in some way.”