Bicyclist killed in crash in Benbrook remembered for wit, kindness, passion for teaching

A 68-year-old Fort Worth cyclist and teacher who was killed in an accident in Benbrook on Saturday is being remembered for his enthusiasm for cycling and his lasting impact on his students.

Charles Henson was riding his bicycle when he was hit by a vehicle about 7 a.m. in the 7700 block of West Vickery Boulevard at its intersection with Old Benbrook Road, according to the Tarrant County Medical Examiner’s Office.

Henson was going southwest on West Vickery Boulevard, and the vehicle was going northeast, but turning north onto Old Benbrook Road, according to Benbrook police. Police did not describe the vehicle.

There is no evidence the driver was distracted or intoxicated, police said. Although the investigation of the cause of the collision is incomplete, police believe the driver will be cited for failed to yield right of way – turning left.

Henson, who lived in Fort Worth, was pronounced dead at a hospital about an hour after he was struck. Blunt force injuries caused his death, according to the medical examiner’s office.

Fond memories of Chuck Henson

Henson, called Chuck by family and friends, was a STEM instructor for a specialized lab at Fort Worth ISD’s Overton Park Elementary School, where he taught lessons on “energy, coding, engineering, math, physics, aerodynamics, velocity, thrust, speed, and other scientific forces” to students in the third through fifth grades, according to the school’s website.

In a statement, the school district said Henson “was a valued teacher” who retired in 2022 but felt called to return to teaching part time. “He was so passionate and cared deeply for students that, through the PTA, he returned part-time to help in an elementary science lab. Our thoughts are with his family and school community.”

Sonia Baker, a friend of Henson’s, said he was the kind of person who was always doing things for others and wanted to make sure they had a good time.

Some of Baker’s favorite memories of Henson involve pizza and salad. She told the Star-Telegram that he had the best homemade salad dressing and knew the perfect way to make a pizza.

“Less is better,” she recalled him telling her. Too many toppings would make a slice fall apart, but a few good toppings were just right.

His pizza expertise is something many are remembering about him.

Scott Reagan, a friend and fellow cyclist, said Henson would open up his home for “his famous pizza parties,” where he gave out dough he made by hand and helped everyone make their own custom pies in the self-built pizza oven in his yard.

“I have very fond memories of those times and will miss him,” Reagan told the Star-Telegram in an email.

He also remembers Henson as someone who would drive their cycling group, MBBC, to ride harder and achieve more. He was a regular on team rides Tuesdays and Thursdays, when the group would ride along Trinity Trail to Benbrook Lake. They would meet on a trail near University Drive in Fort Worth.

“Chuck would always say, ‘We are going to take it easy tonight, right?’ “ Reagan recalled.

When they crossed the dam on their route and headed out to Bellaire Drive, he would “take off like a rocket” and leave the team behind, Reagan said. He’d do it again heading down the main road to the lake.

“He pushed all of us and made us stronger riders from constantly having to chase him down,” Reagan said.

David Tumlin, another friend, told the Star-Telegram that Henson lived to make the world better and that the impact he had on his students, their parents and the friends he went cycling with “is difficult to fathom.”

“His kindness and openness was delivered to everyone he met,” Tumlin said.

Henson liked talking about politics and philosophy on long bike rides, something Tumlin said he’ll miss.

“We solved the world’s problems quite a few times,” Tumlin said. “Chuck lived his life to make the world a better place and it will be a little sadder without him.”

Tracy Carrington said Henson was witty and always making jokes and having fun, but “wasn’t afraid of real conversations with you.”

Henson was “one of those people who makes you better from having knowing them,” Carrington said.

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