Deacon remembered for bringing Catholic radio to Iowa

April 16, 2025

There’s a Scripture passage that was pivotal in Deacon Charles “Chuck” Putbrese’s life: “For such a time as this,” from Esther, 4:14.

It was that Scripture passage that encouraged him to play a foundational role in bringing Catholic radio to Des Moines, he told The Catholic Mirror in 2007.

The former international expert in security and espionage, who had been Lutheran, Catholic, and evangelical Protestant before settling back home in the Catholic faith, died March 18 at the age of 93.

Born in Auburn, Iowa, he graduated from Drake University, married Ella Mae (Kay) Putbrese in 1953 and served in the U.S. Air Force and in the Office of Special Investigations during the Cold War. He retired from the Air Force, having become Lt. Colonel, to begin a security business with a friend.

“Chuck, Kay and I were in Virginia (in the mid-1970s). I was giving a talk there,” said Msgr. Frank Bognanno, a close friend. “He was trying to make a decision about whether he should stay in business there, or go to Des Moines, where there was a country radio station. He asked: ‘Should I buy it and turn it to Christian station?’”

They did it and it became KWKY Catholic radio, said Msgr. Bognanno.

Born Lutheran, his wife, Kay, was a devout Catholic. Deacon Putbrese became Catholic, but said later this faith was more in his head than his heart. KWKY offered Protestant radio programming, and over time, he became involved in evangelical Protestantism.

A friend sent Deacon Putbrese and Kay some tapes of professor Scott Hahn sharing the faith. Hahn had been a Protestant minister before converting to the Catholic faith.

“I came back and became a Catholic, not with head knowledge, but with heart knowledge,” he had said.

A friend had been praying for him with the Bible passage “For such a time as this.” He learned Hahn had also been praying for him with that passage running through his head.

Deacon Putbrese was convinced prayer works, said Msgr. Bognanno.

Shortly after returning to the Church, Deacon Putbrese felt called to the diaconate ministry. He was ordained in the Diocese’s 10^th group of candidates in 1997.

He was calm, easygoing, quiet individual, remembered diaconate classmate Deacon Fred Pins.

Deacon Putbrese was helpful to everyone.

“He was always welcoming to help anybody. I had car trouble one time. I was only 25 miles from the monastery (for diaconate formation) and the car broke down,” said Deacon Pins. “He came out to get me. He was there to help anybody and everybody. He was a friend to all.”

In 2005, he and his son John formed Iowa Catholic Radio, transitioning the Christian radio station to all Catholic programming. They sold the station to St. Gabriel Communications, which has grown in its mission to become a statewide Catholic radio network.

Deacon Putbrese served the Basilica of St. John Parish and Christ the King Parish, both in Des Moines, until his retirement in 2018.

His Mass of Christian Burial was March 25 at Christ the King Church. He was buried at the Iowa Veterans Cemetery with full military honors on March 26.