MINNEAPOLIS (WCCO) – Dark Star was truly a one-of-a-kind type of person. When news of his death Friday afternoon at his Minnetonka apartment spread, shock and sadness had set in.

He does not leave behind any family, but he did leave a lasting impression on everyone who met and got to know him. He was in the car business before he was in the media business.

In his world, the two were a perfect fit and made for some memories.

“Whosever on the planet now and met him is going to be telling stories about him until they die,” said Patrick Reusse, a columnist with the Star Tribune and radio host. “What more could you ask for out of life than to have everybody tell a few stories about you?”

He was the face of Canterbury Park for years and would go to great lengths to promote the product.

“As well as you knew Dark, you never knew what was going on,” Reusse said. “You never knew what was going on in life or who his pals were.”

Gallery: Remembering Dark Star

He was a man who lived life in a different way. You could love him and despise him in the same afternoon, but you will never forget him.

“Dark Star will be missed. I’ll miss him as much as anybody,” said Sid Hartman, a long time columnist at the Star Tribune and radio host. “He was crazy at times, but he had a heart of gold and he helped a lot of people.”

Canterbury Park Remembers Dark Star
Former WCCO Radio Personality Dark Star Found Dead

Dark Star, whose real name was George Chapple, was 66 years old. There will be a memorial service at Canterbury Park in Shakopee at 10 a.m. Saturday, which also happens to be the day of the final leg for the Triple Crown in horse racing, which was one of Star’s favorite hobbies.