Charlie Steven Rich, 7 months old, Kearney, Missouri, passed away Sunday, September 21, 2025.
He was born February 6, 2025 in Kansas City, Missouri, to Zachary and Kelsey (Kendall) Rich.
Charlie was born with a Congenital Diaphragmatic Hernia (CDH). His life was full of surgeries and medical interventions. His life was also full of love. Some of those loves included being read to, playing with his balloons, and cuddling with his parents. Charlie knew Children’s Mercy Hospital as his home, and the staff there loved him like he was a member of their family. His smile, warmth, and snores will live on in the memories of those that were fortunate enough to meet him.
Charlie was a true sign of strength, resilience, courage, and hope. Charlie continues to show those traits even after his death by contributing towards CDH research and through organ donation, both as a means to give others hopes at longer and fuller lives that can be full of love too.
He was preceded in death by his brother, Wesley Rich; and grandparents, Mary and Ben Kendall and Dennis Atwood.
Survivors include his parents, Zachary and Kelsey Rich; grandparents, Steven and Shelly Kendall and David and Barbi Rich; great-grandparents, Michael and Diana Edwards, Jeff and Nancy Rich, Judie Atwood, and Stan and Donita Sunderland; aunts and uncles, Kyle and Amanda Kendall, Kendra Kendall, and Alexander and Brooke Rich; cousins, Nevaeh and Caylee.
Farewell Services and Public Livestream 1:00 P.M. Saturday, Meierhoffer Funeral Home & Crematory. The family will gather with friends 11:00 A.M. to 1:00 P.M. Saturday, Meierhoffer Funeral Home & Crematory. The family suggests memorial contributions to Congenital Diaphragmatic Hernia research.
