Charles Marquiss, a voice familiar to thousands of Riverside County residents, is now silent. Mr. Marquiss, 50, news director of KATY-FM, died quietly in his sleep of natural causes on Sunday morning, March 22, according to a news release from the radio station.

Although he had been suffering from a cold and bronchitis, Mr. Marquiss’ death came as a complete surprise to family and co-workers at the station.

“Chuck,” as he was familiarly known, had worked at major stations including KGGI, KNX, KFI and KFWB for many years before joining KATY-FM in March 1991. He commuted daily from Highland to Hemet for five years and later to the new Temecula studios. Because of popularity with news personnel of stations throughout the region, he was able to trade news clips, bringing a variety of voices that enhanced the professional “big station” sound of his newscasts.

Katy Gill, president and general manager of KATY-FM, said, “Chuck was a truly loyal, as well as professional, journalist.” Last week, knowing that his back-up was on jury duty, he came to work so sick that he could hardly talk. He truly believed in the motto ‘the show must go on.'”

David Carson, station manager said, “It won’t be the same around here without Chuck. He was a key man in our operation.”

Mr. Marquiss is survived by his wife of 22 years, Angie, four sons, two daughters, three daughters-in-law, five grandchildren, a brother, a sister and his father.

Rosary and viewing will be at 7 p.m. Thursday, March 26, at Bobbitt Memorial Chapel, 1299 E. Highland Ave., San Bernardino. Funeral services will be at 10:30 a.m. Friday, March 27, at the Riverside National Cemetery, 22495 Van Buren Blvd. in Riverside.