MILESTONES

Married. David Brinkley, 51, the puckish half of NBC's Huntley-Brinkley team for 14 years and now the network's star commentator; and Susan Benfer Adolph, 32; both for the second time; in Virginia.

Married. Frank ("The Fordham Flash") Frisch, 74, Hall of Fame second baseman, player-manager for the St. Louis Cardinals of the '30s, and later broadcaster for the Boston Braves and New York Giants; and Schoolteacher Augusta Kass, 64; both for the second time; in Narragansett, R.I.

Died. Charles ("Chick") Ireland, 51, president since last October of Columbia Broadcasting System, Inc.; of an apparent heart attack; in Chappaqua, N.Y. Amiable but harddriving, Ireland directed the Alleghany Corp.'s long and complicated proxy battles of the '50s. In 1968, he joined ITT, where he oversaw the operation of Avis, Sheraton hotels and several of the conglomerate's other subsidiaries. Ireland professed to know little about broadcasting, but CBS hired him last year to bring fresh talent to the network's top echelon in a period of sagging revenues.

Died. Ken W. Purdy, 59, automobile expert, magazine editor and prolific freelance writer; by his own hand (gun); in Wilton, Conn. During World War II, Purdy edited Victory, the Government bimonthly sent overseas to more than a million subscribers. He then became editor of the Sunday supplement Parade, True and later Argosy. The purchase of a British Standard in 1946 aroused Purdy's interest in antique, classic and sports cars, and led to scores of stories (including more than 65 for Playboy) and eight books.

Died. Jimmy Rushing, 68, blues singer, whose high-pitched vocalizing was featured by the Count Basic band and other groups for 47 years; of a heart attack; in Manhattan. While his urgent style popularized songs like Good Mornin' Blues and Coin' to Chicago, Rushing's bulky frame inspired his theme, Mr. Five by Five.

Died. Helen G. Bonfils, 82, board chairman of the Denver Post, sometime actress and patron of the theater; in Denver. The younger daughter of Frederick G. Bonfils, colorful co-owner of the Post with Harry Tammen, "Miss Helen" was proprietor and principal stockholder of the largest and most important paper in the Rocky Mountain states for nearly four decades. She took time out from her publishing duties occasionally for appearances on the Denver and New York stages, but her more important theatrical role was that of angel and producer.

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