Charles “Chuck” Frank Zarter, 78, of Shawnee, KS, passed away peacefully August 31, 2020, at Kansas City Hospice House, Kansas City, MO. His passing followed a long and valiant, 23-year struggle against the ravages of cancer treatment that saved, but challenged his life. Chuck was born June 23, 1942, to Carl F. and Evelyn Longren Zarter in Leavenworth, KS. Described by his fellow Immaculata High School classmates as “thoroughly well liked” and “having a twinkle in his eye,” he participated in basketball (his calling), football, and track. He also served as Student Council President, graduating in 1960. He subsequently attended and played basketball at St. Benedict’s College (now Benedictine) in Atchison, KS, graduating in 1964, and he received his Juris Doctor from the University of Kansas School of Law in 1967. At KU, he was active in the Student Bar Association. He also began his life-long and fervent support of KU athletics, especially his beloved Kansas Jayhawk basketball teams.
Chuck started his professional career in the legal department at Kansas City’s Business Men’s Assurance Company, where he oversaw various real estate acquisitions in California, Texas, and Louisiana. He then joined a real estate investment partnership as Service Broker for the establishment and expansion of Electronic Realty Associates franchise development in the greater Kansas City area. After approximately a decade, he returned to the private practice of law until health issues forced his retirement in 2009.
A veteran trickster, Chuck was loved by everyone and known especially for his somewhat warped (his children would say) and off-the-wall sense of humor. During his law school days, he was party with others to the attempted “kidnapping” of a fellow law student with a perfect law school attendance record. This student was ultimately handcuffed to the statue of Jimmy Green in front of the old law school building on Jayhawk Boulevard. In the end, however, the professor simply presented his lecture to the entire class on the front steps, thereby saving the day. Incredibly, a photo of the event was captured by the Associated Press and distributed world-wide.
As a father, he was adored, not only by his sons, but by his entire neighborhood of kids. He was the dad who played dodge ball and basketball with them in the driveway after work and on weekends (not to mention overseeing the watermelon seed-spitting contests). As a husband, he never gave up on his wife, always there for her and always strong, loving, patient, and caring. Together with her sons, he was the joy of her life.
Chuck’s greatest attribute, however, was his ability to face his fears, think outside the box, and never, ever give up. As a young man, he was afraid of heights; his solution? He took glider plane lessons and learned to snow ski, the latter of which would become a passion and the genesis of many happy family memories as he and his wife married and raised two sons. His positivity remained with him until his last breath. Diagnosed in 1997 with cancer that included an inoperable brain tumor, the experimental procedure meant to extend his life opened the door to the loss of his profession, his ability to walk, and his ability to easily communicate. Still, when many might have considered life no longer worth the struggle, Chuck cherished every moment, his strong faith and his will to survive supporting him, always believing in the hope for tomorrow.
Chuck is survived by his wife, Carolyn Eymann Zarter, of the home; two sons, C. Ryan Zarter, Ph.D, Leadville, CO, and Darren C. Zarter, Lenexa, KS; his sister, Marilyn Zarter Wallace, Wichita, KS; his nephew, Troy (Anne) Wallace and son Landon, Aurora, CO; his niece, Stacy (C.J.) Bastian and children, Katie and Jack, Skidmore, TX; and his cousins, Paul (Mary) Longren, DeSoto, KS, and Carl Longren, Mission, KS.
A private memorial service will be held at Combs Chapel, Country Club Christian Church, on October 3, 2020. Contributions may be made in Chuck’s memory to Kansas City Hospice House (www.kchospice.org/donate), to the University of Kansas School of Law, or to a charity of your choosing.