Charles “Chuck” Begnaud, a longtime member of the Society and a fixture at the annual meetings in Lafayette, died April 2, 1998 after a brutal beating and stabbing at his home on the afternoon of March 13. He was severely beaten about his head and his throat had been slashed twice, apparently during a robbery. His wife found him unconscious when she returned home late in the afternoon. He never regained consciousness, and died after life support measures were halted.

His wallet, a television set and his 1990 Ford Taurus were taken during the incident. As of May 10 no person or persons had been apprehended. 

Mr. Begnaud had served on many committees of the Society. He always helped with the annual meeting and show in Lafayette. 

He grew up in the family coffee business and later worked in the land-lease business for an oil company. During the oil slump in South Louisiana, he trained as a licensed practical nurse, at which job he was working at the time of his death.