Charles Lee Harth | March 12, 1944 – February 15, 2026
Charles Lee Harth was born in Kansas City, Kansas, on March 12, 1944, to Esther Lorene (Parr) and Marlin Lewis Harth. He passed away on February 15, 2026, in Kansas City, Kansas, surrounded by family. He was 81.
Chuck was many things: an avid outdoorsman, a woodworker, a birdwatcher, a member of the Citizen Potawatomi Nation, a man of few words but quick with a smile, a loving husband, a dependable father, a doting grandfather, and a steady, composed presence.
Chuck grew up in Rossville, KS. His family moved to Overbrook, KS, at the start of his 10th-grade year. In high school, he played football, basketball, track, and baseball. After high school, Chuck alternated between college and work before settling into a 33-year career as a railroad clerk for the Burlington Northern Santa Fe Railroad. For many years, he spent Saturday nights delivering the Sunday newspaper to small towns around Topeka. Outside of work, he filled his time coaching his sons’ baseball teams and hunting turkey and deer, even traveling to Idaho, Wisconsin, and Washington on hunting and fishing trips.
Chuck married the love of his life, Vicky, on September 19, 1970, in Stull, Kansas. Nine years later, they moved into the house that Chuck helped build, and they would remain there for his entire life. He was a patient father who rarely raised his voice, showed up for all the games and tournaments, and prioritized his family. He taught his sons to be kind, frugal, and that a few well-chosen words are often enough.
Chuck was particular about his vehicles. Not only did he own some fun ones over the course of his life – a Corvette, a Mustang, and a Chevelle – he liked keeping them clean, which was a constant battle since he lived on a gravel road. When he started dating his bride-to-be, he didn’t want to drive his new girlfriend around in his mother’s car. So he bought a white Mustang as a temporary holdover until his special-order blue Corvette arrived.
In his later years, Chuck and Vicky enjoyed traveling, especially with his sister and brother-in-law. Of their many trips criss-crossing the United States, the Albuquerque Balloon Festival was a favorite. However, nothing could beat the family vacation to New England in 2021, which included his first commercial flight, New Hampshire’s fall foliage, and lobster rolls on a dock in Maine.
Chuck will be remembered fondly by his wife of 55 years, Vicky Sue (Wulfkuhle); two sons and their wives, Derek and Karen Harth of Leawood, KS, and Cory and Kathryn Harth of Manhattan, KS; grandchildren Avery and Brayden Harth, Aidan and Leah Zimmerman, and Ruby and Violet Rosales; sister and brother-in-law, Janet and Jim Dodge of Rossville; and numerous nieces, nephews, and their children.
A private family service will be held at a later date. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made in Chuck’s honor to Stull Community of Faith, 1596 E. 250 Road, Lecompton, KS 66050.
