Former NAB Executive Vice President of Television Dr. Charles E. Sherman died on June 18 in Philadelphia after a long illness. He was 71. Services were held at the Levine and Sons Memorial Chapel outside of Philadelphia, and interment was at Shalom Memorial Park in Philadelphia.
Dr. Sherman began his affiliation with NAB in 1988 after a distinguished career in broadcasting that included service as general manager of WHOI-TV, Peoria, Ill. 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, Dr. Sherman was Executive Vice President, Television until 2002 and served as President of the NAB Educational Foundation (NABEF) until 2004. He was credited with establishing numerous initiatives including the highly acclaimed Service to America Summit that recognizes outstanding public service contributions of local radio and television stations. He founded the "100 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. It was his vision that forged a partnership with Howard University in Washington, DC 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.
