It’s safe to say that anyone who knew Chuck Ebeling loved him. His positive disposition and can-do spirit inspired his teams and those of us lucky to call him a friend. So, the Chicago PR community this week mourns his passing.
Chuck and I last got together in his beloved adopted hometown of Lake Geneva, Wisconsin where he proudly gave me a tour of the historic Geneva Lake Museum, which he helped turn into an excellent regional museum. Over coffee that morning, he enthusiastically talked about his next big project — helping save and restore the 125-year-old Yerkes Observatory, home of the world’s largest refracting (lens type) telescope.
Indeed, Chuck was one of those people who knew he’d stay busy doing important things after his early retirement from McDonald’s Corporation, where he had served as Corporate Communications Officer and lead spokesperson for some 15 years. And he truly made a difference as he turned his retirement into a full-time job of good deeds.
During his activity-rich retirement, Chuck also served as President of the Environmental Education Foundation which provided grants to local schools and college scholarships to Geneva Lake area students. He also chaired the Geneva Lake Conservancy, which is an accredited land protection and environmental awareness organization serving southeastern Wisconsin.
Chuck also dearly loved Chicago where he was actively involved in the Chicago Literary Club, serving as its president in 2016-17. Members of the 150-year organization write and present original essays and, according to Chuck, “gather frequently over dinner and good cheer to exchange ideas and views.” In 2019, Chuck’s first 15 essays were published in a book, Apple Pressings.
Chuck’s PR Career
Chuck described his career in a 2016 Culpwrit profile, but as usual he was humble about his career accomplishments, which included an impressive tenure at Golin where he rose from account executive to senior vice president before being recruited by his major client, McDonald’s. Over the years, he also held other agency and corporate positions after beginning beginning his media career as a public information officer in the U.S. Army during the Vietnam War.
I always viewed Chuck as an unofficial McDonald’s historian. Even long after his retirement, he was always helpful to reporters inquiring about corporate milestones of the fast-food giant, and he joyfully shared historical trivia with friends and colleagues.
Al Golin’s daughter, Karen Golin, fondly remembers Chuck with this recollection: “While working on the McDonald’s account, he also was a coordinator and chaperone for The McDonald’s All-American high school band….His influence sparked careers in advertising and PR.”
During his career and in retirement, he enjoyed presenting the Ebeling Case Study and Campaigns PRize to communication students at his alma mater, Bradley University, as well as at Loyola University. He inspired many of his peers — myself included — to create similar scholarships.
Ebs
Long-time friend and colleague Bridget Coffing, retired Chief Communications Officer at McDonald’s, speaks for hundreds of friends and former colleagues as she recalls the significant impact Chuck had on her own life and career.
“Ebs, as we affectionately called him at McDonald’s, gave me my first shot in Chicago. He went out on a limb by hiring me at Golin Harris (now Golin) where he was my first boss, then several years later at McDonald’s, where he then led external communications. He was a coach, teacher, mentor and friend. I have always felt that I owed Chuck a lot, and took every occasion over 40 years to tell him so.
“Some would say that Ebs was Old School, and in his wrinkled suits, surrounded by stacks of paper with a phone constantly at his ear, he was. But he was also big into technology and an early adopter of every new toy, computer and tech advancement. He was the first (and only) person I knew to employ home robots, shocking guests in the 80’s when they greeted guests at his door, served beverages, and generally entertained the group. “It’s the future,” he’d say. “Get with it.”
“A Renaissance Man, with unabashed curiosity and diverse interests that spanned PR, astronomy, philanthropy, history and writing, Ebs was a unique character. He had strong opinions that he loved to share. Chuck made us laugh, made us smarter and kinder, and left us all the wiser for having known him. We’ll sure miss our pal.”
Rest in peace, Ebs.
Beautiful tribute, Ron. I met Chuck when I was covering McDonald’s for BusinessWeek. During that time, I wrote a cover story that was not the favorite of management but he was always gracious. What a life well-lived. May he rest in peace.
I have known Mr. Ebeling my whole life. I do not remember a time he wasn’t there. My father grew up with Chuck in Chicago. They worked together at McDonald’s and have continued their friendship, until this past week. The stories and memories my father would share would be remarkable tales and adventures. Legends of their time. These stories have been shared and reshared, not only with me and my brothers and cousins, but also with my children, My kids had the privilege of meeting Mr. Ebeling. To say it was an honor, it was nothing short of it. Mr. Ebeling will be remembered as kind hearted, loving, and a classic example of what a true gentleman is. He will never be forgotten.
Thank you Ron for your kind words. I never knew him as Ebs before this. The depiction of him in his office is much appreciated.
Chuck was all class. He made Golin, and of course McDonald’s, better in so many ways — and he did so with intellect and kindness.