Charles Peter Rome

Charles Peter Rome, beloved Husband, Father, Brother, Uncle and Papa, passed away on August 12, 2025.

Charlie was born on April 12, 1942, in Great Bend, KS. He met his future wife Lorraine (Kanago) at the Hoisington State Fair and told her on their first date that he wanted to run his own business. They were married on August 21, 1965, in Great Bend, KS. Charlie earned a BA in Mathematics from Benedictine College, a BS in Mechanical Engineering from the University of Kansas, and a MS in Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering from the University of Missouri. He was a registered Professional Engineer and Certified Manufacturing Engineer, and active in the Society of Manufacturing Engineers. After working for Bendix Corporation, Charlie co-founded his engineering consulting firm, Lee & Rome, Inc., focused on Industrial, Manufacturing, and Plant Engineering – fulfilling his lifelong dream of running his own business. He continued working in manufacturing and financial planning until his retirement in 1999. Charlie loved to plan and take family trips all over the US, and later internationally with Lorrie and our many family gatherings full of food, wine and laughter. He enjoyed investing in the stock market, pretending to play bridge with lifelong friends in the “bridge club”, and Royals baseball. His foresight to become Royals partial season ticket holders in the great 80’s culminated when he and Lorrie attended Game 7 of the 1985 World Series. During his last 11 years at Nottingham Health & Rehab, Charlie charmed the staff and continued to “win” chocolate or beer at Bingo without ever playing. He was best known for his twinkling eyes, kind and patient manner and tenacious spirit, especially when dealing with the long-term progression of his multiple sclerosis.

Charlie leaves behind his loving wife Lorrie, their two children Christine (Rich) Majors and Natalie (Steve) VanLiew, their two grandchildren Jessica Blom and Griffin Majors, siblings Eugene Rome and Cheryl Wells, and many dear family and friends. He was preceded in death by parents Charles E. and Isabel (Schauf) Rome and siblings Coralie and James Rome. A memorial service and reception will be held August 19, 2025, at 1 pm at Penwell-Gabel, 14275 S. Black Bob Rd., Olathe, KS 66062. Memorials can be directed online to the Mid-America Chapter of the National MS Society or by mail payable to the Olathe Hospice House at 15310 S. Marion St., Olathe, KS 66061 in memory of Charles Rome.