Charles Richard Svoboda

1927 - 2022

Charles Richard Svoboda
July 31, 1927 - September 16, 2022
Kansas City, Missouri - Charles R. Svoboda, of Kansas City, MO, died peacefully September 16, 2022 at the age of 95.
Chuck was born July 31, 1927, in Hays, Kansas to Joseph and Florence Svoboda. The youngest of six children, Chuck attended grade school in a one room schoolhouse in Lecompton, KS where the majority of his classmates were his five siblings. The family later moved to Lawrence, KS where Chuck attended Lawrence High School and was a proud member of the football team. After graduation, at the age of 17 and with World War II raging, he enlisted in the Navy Air Corp. After being honorably discharged in 1947, he returned to Lawrence and enrolled at Kansas University where he received his Bachelor's degree in Engineering. While teaching engineering classes at KU, he enrolled at KU Law School where he graduated with honors.
It was while at KU that he met the love of his life, Margaret "Jean" Svoboda (nee: Sullivan). They married in 1951. Theirs was a 63 year love story. They raised 5 children who, along with the grandchildren that later arrived on the scene, they nurtured, encouraged, taking great pride in all of them. Together Jean and Chuck created a loving and happy family. Chuck was a devoted husband, father and granddad.
Chuck enjoyed a distinguished legal career. He loved being in the courtroom and his engineering background allowed him to focus his practice on technical engineering matters, particularly construction litigation. After being in house counsel at General Motors, and then practicing law with his father-in-law, he opened his own practice, and was retained to deal with construction issues all over the US.
Chuck had an amazing variety of interests. He and Jean were enthusiastic travelers, and they took their family on wonderful vacations. He owned a sailboat, and relished Sunday afternoons sailing with his family. He was an avid tennis player at the Rockhill Tennis Club, and just as avid a bridge player during spirited games with lifelong college friends. He had a passion for fishing and good jokes, delighted in entertaining his family and friends by playing his harmonica, and had a nickname for everyone. His engineering expertise was evident as he refurbished a 1927 Ford Firetruck which appeared in many Kansas City parades.
Chuck was preceded in death by his beloved wife Jean, as well as by his parents, and his five siblings, Joseph Svoboda, Betty Brune, Lloyd Svoboda, Floyd Svoboda and Norma Hamrick. He is survived by his children Nancy Cusack of Santa Fe, NM, Jim Svoboda of Kansas City, MO; Bill Svoboda of Kansas City, MO; Michael Svoboda of Palm Springs, CA; and Ann Buckley of Dallas, TX. He also leaves ten grandchildren, and seven great grandchildren.
Visitation will be held from 6 to 8pm on Wednesday, September 28 at McGilley State Line Chapel, 12301 State Line Road, Kansas City, MO 64145. Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 10:00am on Thursday, September 29 at Visitation Catholic Church, 5141 Main Street, Kansas City, MO. Interment will follow in Forest Hill & Calvary Cemetery, 6901 Troost Avenue, Kansas City, MO 64131.