Charles Andrew Lang

Charles Andrew Lang died March 15, 2023, and we are left reeling and devastated by this unexpected and tremendous loss. There are no words, but here’s the best we can do.

If grief is love with no place to go, then our hearts are overflowing with love. Andrew, Chumpy, Charlie, Charles, Chuck, Chandy loved life and the people in it fiercely. This includes his parents, Meg and Randy, his sisters, Elly (Cal) and Mallory, his grandma Donna Burch, his many aunts, uncles, cousins, framily, friends, his late grandparents Skip Burch, Harlan Barteau, Juanita and Charlie Lang, Marlene and Walt Griesedieck, and his late aunts and uncles Debra Lang, Andy Burch, Kathy Crain, and Thom Crain.

Andrew was full of surprises. Instigating late-night unicycle training sessions, firing a magician-style flamethrower from his shirt sleeve at parties, calling out of the blue to share his latest entrepreneurial venture – he made our lives joyfully unpredictable. But for all the unexpected things that came from Andrew, he always came with a guarantee; he would fill the room with irresistible joy, infectious laugher, and unbridled love.

Andrew studied the piles of injustice and suffering in this world, and responded with connection. Moving through life cheerfully unconcerned about the future, he sometimes frustrated the rest of us. But it also made something extraordinary possible, for him to so consistently and fully live in and appreciate the present. That kind of being present (with people, the world, life) is something most of us can only strive for. The goof could light up a room, or a single heart, with his presence alone. A hug from him wrapped you in love made tangible. Andrew showed us the extraordinary beauty behind the human heart. And he’ll be missed…big time.

Memorial visitation Friday, March 24, 4:00-8:00 PM at Collier’s Funeral Home. Funeral service will be on Saturday, 12:00 Noon at St. Claire of Assisi Church, 15642 Clayton Rd. (Ellisville). Consider wearing show-stopping outfits in honor of Andrew – weird prints, velour, tie-die, something iridescent, bizarre sweater, baseball hat, anything sharp or interesting (especially if it’s from savers/a thrift store).

In lieu of flowers, please contribute to:

-Day Dreams Foundation in honor of Andrew’s passion for music and sports. Day Dreams serves local youth by eliminating financial barriers to participating in extracurriculars.

-St. Francis House in honor of Andrew’s concern for justice issues and propensity to show up for and be present with all people. St. Francis House offers community and hospitality to folks who need it, and supports radical systemic change for a more just and loving world.

-Annie’s Hope in support of grieving children (and families and friends).