Charles Megerman, 67, of Overland Park, passed away Monday, July 14, 2014, at his home.
Funeral services were held Tuesday, July 15, at The Louis Memorial Chapel with burial at Sheffield Cemetery. The family suggests contributions to Congregation Beth Israel Abraham & Voliner or the Jewish National Fund.
Charles was born March 22, 1947, in Paris, the son of Joseph and Sarah (Winerib) Megerman, and moved with his family to New York in 1951 at the age of 4. His mother survived Auschwitz and was liberated by the Russian Army. His father was in a prisoner of war camp in Germany and was liberated by the United States. They then met in France.
Charles received his Bachelor of Arts degree in English literature from Park University in 1968. He then received his master’s degrees in English literature, counseling and guidance and public administration from UMKC. He was a licensed psychologist in the state of Missouri.
After graduating from college, Charles was an executive director and Vista Volunteer in Chicago for two years.
He worked for the Jackson County Department of Corrections for 23 years; he then worked 15 ½ years at the Kansas City Community Center — substance abuse and offender reintegration.
He was a proud liberal Democrat and a diehard Yankee’s fan.
Charles was a member of Congregation Beth Israel Abraham & Voliner.
He loved jogging and exercise in general, fishing, vegetable gardening, and chess. He was an avid reader, enjoyed movies, and loved cruises and other travel, particularly to Hawaii and Israel.
Charles was a dedicated blood donor, donating nearly 11 gallons, because, in his words, “it was easy to do and helped a lot of people.”
He was a good griller of hamburgers, steak, chicken, hot dogs and vegetables.
Charles was preceded in death by his parents.
He is survived by his wife of 44 years, Esther Megerman; daughters and sons-in-law, Rachel and Michael Coleman, Kansas City, Kan., Eliana Megerman and Michael Merdinger, Modiin, Israel, and Shira Megerman, Gainesville, Fla.; son and daughter-in-law, Joseph and Alice Megerman, Overland Park; brother and sister-in-law, Jacques and Susan Szaluta, Westbury, N.Y.; grandchildren, Mikey, Aaron and Allen Coleman, Nehemiah, Lital and Ariella Merdinger, and Golda Megerman; and his mother-in-law, Taisa Simon.
Condolences may be shared at www.louismemorialchapel.com.
Arr: The Louis Memorial Chapel, 816-361-5211.