I found this clip on youtube. My father was Chuck Faber. Get a load of his joy at the new Action News team. They canned him a year or so later. From the look in his eye, I’m guessing he knew it was coming.
In an effort to present a more complete picture of the old man, here he is, the man, the myth, the ham.
Jack Bronn was born in Illinois, raised in Florida, misses his home in New Hampshire, dreams of living in New York, and resides with his wife and son in North Carolina. He writes.
These are great pictures – looks like you have the makings of a great genealogist!
Thank you… a great genealogist, eh? I’m not sure we need another one. I think you’ve got it covered.
Jack,
I am so glad to find this about your dad. I spent 8 years with him at WCEE in the studio and directing the news. I probably directed the clip. You should search the WTMJ-TV website for a photo of him in his eyepatch days.
He was very special around the station and to me in particular. He gave me a piece of advice after one frustrating day at the station that I still quote when needed. As only he could say, “Everytime you hit your head against the wall you just get up slower. Don’t hit your head.”…and walked away. And he made a mean chili in the station kitchen for all of us.
I could go write a book about him and have you on the floor. We did have a WCEE reunion in 1998 but I searched the infant internet then and could not find him. He would have loved it. Email me for more.
Dave A
Working with Chuck at WCEE-TV 23 in the begining…was a real hoot…His first newscast at WCEE…he sat on boxes of floor tile with a photo paper background (head and shoulders) as the studio still had a dirt floor no lights or any form of being usuable. In a short time from sign-on we were able to be first in Rockford with live Studio Color with a re-built camera from WGN Chicago…sand blasted and painted the studio scoops bright colors…looked like a real pre-disco (1965)…he was a real stable factor started as WCEE News/Sports anchor….became a great family friend….Tom and Eve Hexamer
Is your dad still alive? Talked to him I a few years back and he said he was selling antique books in Florida. Chuckq taught me how to play golf. Said if I was going to work in TV I had to play golf. My first wife and I had several bowls of Chili at your parents home followed by ice cream….Chuck said you must follow his chili with ice cream or pays the te price the next morning. Thanks for the site!
Ken Staaf
Hi Ken,
I’m sorry to tell you that my father passed away in 2009. He owned the book store until shortly after my mom died in 2005… though calling it an antique book store is a bit like calling a used car lot an automobile museum. He played golf into his 80′s and tried to teach me to play several times as well. He was such a natural; he never understood why I couldn’t just do it like he could. I can still see that effortless swing of his. As for the chili… it was very good, but in my experience there was no avoiding paying the price.
Glad to hear from you. Hope you are well.