NAB’s Chuck Sherman Dies at 71

Former NAB Executive Vice President of Television Dr. Charles “Chuck” Sherman died this weekend in Philadelphia after a long illness, the trade association announced. He was 71. Services were held Sunday, June 19 at the Levine and Sons Memorial Chapel outside of Philadelphia, and interment was at Shalom Memorial Park in Philadelphia.
Chuck began his affiliation with NAB in 1988 after a broadcasting career that included service as general manager of WHOI(TV), Peoria, IL and WTRF(TV), Wheeling, W.V.
He was past president of the Broadcast Education Association. Prior to entering the television business, Sherman’s career was in academics. He was professor and associate chairman of the Department of Communication Arts at the University of Wisconsin-Madison and professor and chairman at the Department of Telecommunications at Indiana University.
At NAB, Chuck was executive vice president, Television until 2002 and served as president of the NAB Educational Foundation until 2004. He was credited with establishing numerous initiatives including the Service to America Summit that recognizes outstanding public service contributions of local radio and television stations. He founded the “100 hundred plus” conference that focuses on small and medium market television.
Under his leadership, NABEF instituted the Broadcast Leadership Training program that provides advanced training of minorities and women in senior broadcast management. Under his guidance, NABEF forged a partnership with Howard University in Washington in establishing the NAB/Howard University Media Sales Institute.
In 2003 the NAB established a national award entitled the “Chuck Sherman Television Leadership Award” which recognizes leadership, service and commitment to local television in medium and smaller markets.
Chuck is survived by his wife Elaine, two sons and a daughter, and four grandchildren. Contributions in remembrance can be made to the Charles and Elaine Sherman Lectureship Series at Temple University.
“Chuck Sherman was ‘Mr. Television’ at NAB for nearly 15 years,” said NAB President/CEO Eddie Fritts. “Chuck will best be remembered for helping launch NABEF’s Service to America Summit, and for directing the foundation that has helped many minorities and women advance into leadership ranks of local broadcasting. The NAB family extends our condolences to Elaine and the entire Sherman family.”