Update: Memorial Service – Sunday August 21, 3-5pm at Multnomah Athletic Club
It is with great sadness that we note the passing of a PRSA Oregon legend: Chuck Williams, APR. Chuck died suddenly on June 3, 2022 of a brain hemorrhage.
PRSA was Chuck’s domain in every way. He served as President of the PRSA Portland Metro Chapter in 1997 and received the William W. Marsh Lifetime Achievement Award in 2000. From those days until recently, he shepherded the local APR program mentoring probably 100+ applicants along the way.
He has left behind his widow Jackie, two daughters – Laurel and Kendra* – and three beloved grandchildren.
Chuck mentored so many that they are too numerous to mention. Dianne Danowski Smith, APR, Fellow PRSA, remembers him this way:
“I can hardly think of a world without Chuck in in it. Some of you may know Chuck gave me my first big break in PR some 31 years ago at Good Sam. He was the first PR pro to give me the time of day and he promoted me, and he introduced me to PRSA. A few years later he taught my APR class at Marylhurst University. A few years yet and we were thrown together to co-chair the 1996 Spotlights (we had the unmitigated gall to up the technology proposition that year and for the first time, used Powerpoint to present the award winners!).”
Chuck’s leadership in our chapter and in the lives of so many cannot be replaced, but he can be remembered, celebrated and his life used as an inspiration to us all.
You can read the obituary published in the Oregonian newspaper.
One way we can honor Chuck’s life is to contribute – with your time, talent – and even your treasure. Chuck’s widow has asked that donations be made to an APR Education Fund. Find out how to do that by emailing our treasurer, Natalie Bennon, at admin@prsaoregon.org.
Chuck may not be with us any longer, but his legacy lives on forever in the hearts and passions of PR professionals far and wide.
Tom Fuller, President – PRSA Oregon