My Friend Chuck Dent

My Friend Chuck Dent

I lost a good friend last week. Chuck Dent was a radio broadcaster and news reporter. Chuck grew up in Kansas, but lived most of his life on the border, in Del Rio. Chuck was stricken with polio when he was a kid, before Dr. Jonas Salk’s vaccination was widely available. Chuck was denied the use of his legs, an arm, and he only had about three-quarters strength in his remaining arm, and hand. It was with that hand that Chuck reported the news, from his electric wheelchair.

He freelanced for The San Antonio Express-News and the San Angelo Standard-Times. He wrote for the Del Rio Sun newspaper, but I don’t think he was ever published in the Del Rio News-Herald. I wonder why? Chuck wrote for Del Rio Live and Southwest Texas Live too, and that’s where I got to know him.

Chuck had an analytical mind. He enjoyed border politics, but never took sides. And people trusted him for that. Many times, when trying to up the hit count on stories, I’d beg Chuck to “just spice it up a little, please.” Nope. He’d have none of it. Chuck was about telling the story straight.

I’d kid him occasionally about his story leads. “The Del Rio City Council voted 4-3 to approve a capital expenditure…” “Who’d want to read that?” I’d ask him. But they did. I think people appreciated the dry leads because they knew it was the truth, even if they skimmed over the lead. Or maybe they didn’t skim over it.

Chuck was devoted to his community. He served many years on the Good Neighbor Council, an organization dedicated to maintaining good relations with Del Rio’s sister city in Mexico, Ciudad Acuna. It was tradition that every year, he’d show up at your place selling ads for that organization’s annual Fiesta de Amistad program guide—the one with pictures of all of the Miss Del Rio contestants in it. He’d sell out of space, not because he made a pity play, but because he was a good salesman. It sold out even in the down years.

Chuck’s start in the news writing business started with radio. Chuck had The Voice for radio. I think one of his biggest disappointments professionally was when the revenue models for local radio changed and there was no longer a provision for local news-gathering and reporting. He worked at KDLK in Del Rio for many years, until he was let go. His job was eliminated.

Chuck’s voice was resurrected, if only briefly, in occasional podcasts he recorded for Southwest Texas Live in 2007-2008, one of which is linked above.

Chuck’s appearance at the DelRio.com offices in La Villita Shopping Center was expected daily. One day he didn’t appear. I found out that the batteries on his wheelchair had expired. “Chuck, what do I need to do to get you some new batteries,” I asked. Chuck demurred. “I got it taken care of,” he said. Chuck refused to be a burden on anyone, even when he was in need. That was the way Chuck rolled.

Many times I asked Chuck if I could write a feature story about his life. He always vehemently refused. He wanted to remain in the background, only arising to the public light to inform. He was a private man.

I learned that Chuck passed away at Val Verde Regional Medical Center, a hospital. I am glad when that day came he was under the care of a hospital staff. He deserved that dignity.

His memorial service was Saturday (5/7/2011) at the Methodist Church in Del Rio.

I will miss you Chuck Dent. Good bye my friend.