Charles Bernard Jellinek, age 55, of Saint Louis, MO passed away June, 18th, 2023 after a sudden cardiac episode. Charles was born on December 18th, 1967 in Saint Louis, MO to Max and Marjorie (nee Blaydes) Jellinek and was the middle sibling to older sister Mary Jellinek and younger brother Kurt (Emily) Jellinek. Charles attended Hazelwood West High School where he graduated in 1986. He then obtained bachelor’s degrees in economics and political science from Saint Louis University in 1990. At SLU, Charles was a member of Sigma Chi, Student Government, swim team, and the National Jesuit University Honor Society. After he completed his undergraduate studies, Charles obtained his JD from Washington University School of Law in 1993, where he received the International Academy of Trial Lawyers Award and was a member of the law fraternity Pi Alpha Delta. He worked for the Missouri Attorney General’s Office as an Assistant Attorney General before starting at the law firm Bryan Cave Leighton Paisner. For 28 years, he was a powerful force for good at his firm, where he was known for his warmth, wit, straight talk, and general no nonsense approach. The wisdom and advice he dispensed was often accompanied by a soft twinkle in the eye, a wry smile, and/or knowing chuckle or two. You knew you were lucky when you got the trifecta. He was consistently recognized as an outstanding lawyer in labor law practice by Best Lawyers, Super Lawyers, and others. Charles also gave back to the community through volunteer work with the Salvation Army and tutoring underprivileged students.
Throughout his life, Charles was incredibly passionate about many aspects of his life, which he loved to share with the multitude of friends and family that were lucky enough to have known him. By no means could a remembrance such as this contain an adequately comprehensive overview of the impact and love he put into this world, but some of his titles may include: model father, faithful husband, wine/bourbon/coffee connoisseur, die-hard SLUH/Fordham swimming and water polo fan, dedicated and loyal friend, proficient salsiccia maker, adequate clay shooter, impressive litigator and attorney, supporter of the arts (particularly the St. Louis Symphony Orchestra and his son Matt’s involvement in the associated choir), Vince Flynn fanboy, Star Trek Next Generation / West Wing quote expert, trivia master. Beyond the aspects of Charles’ life that made up the beautiful kaleidoscope of such a brilliant and perfect man, it is the little things that will perhaps be missed most of all. His willingness to offer impactful wisdom and advice to friends and family. His love for Jellinek family band nights, with Charles on vocals, Justin on guitar, Matt on bass, and Joe on drums. The ad-libbed songs he would craft as odes to beloved family dogs, Sparky, Ollie, Gus, and Finnie (a personal favorite being “Sparky is the Puppy That I Love”). Sunday morning walk and talks. The antics of combined family vacations. The rarity of witnessing Charles play gorgeous renditions of “Desperado” and “The Rainbow Connection” on piano. Enjoying wine during a patio party with the fire pit roaring. The comedic genius, one-liners, and quick wit. This world has lost an incomprehensibly bright and shining light, a beacon of warmth and love whose absence will be felt by all.
The common thread of Charles’ unforgettable life is best defined as his unwavering dedication and loyalty to all of his friends and family. When his sons joined the SLUH Water Polo team, Charles became the program’s most dedicated fan (even through their graduation). If his sons discovered a new favorite band, he joined in fully to the obsession (making it to many concerts along the way). As his son Justin got engaged in 2022, he welcomed Hannah into the family with open arms, frequently asking her for recommendations at all of Anheuser-Busch’s craft breweries. When in need of a mentor at work, Charles always volunteered and dedicated his time and talent to coaching and developing coworkers to become better lawyers and friends. If anything was important to those around him, it was important to Charles.
His biggest commitment in life, however, was to his wife Lisa. Married in 1992, dating since 1987, Charles and Lisa are an example to all on how a loving dedication to one’s spouse can enrich the lives of all around them. Charles saved love notes given to him by Lisa as far back as their first few dates together, even bringing flowers home each month after they were married in 1992. As they grew their family with Justin, Matt, Joe, and Hannah, they still made sure to schedule frequent date nights to the Fox, Paul McCartney concerts, special birthday dinners and many more. In recent years, the two have spent their time traveling to Hawaii, Napa, and Europe. Throughout all of their adventures, Charles and Lisa were dedicated to the full enjoyment of their lives, always making each other laugh, always passionately loving each other. Their relationship can be an example to all of us of what it means to live and to love; to find and never let go of that one person who will forever radiate a certain magic into your shared world that can only be explained as the result of true soulmates who were lucky enough to find each other.
Charles is survived by his beloved wife of 31 years Lisa (nee Rumbolo) Jellinek and their three sons Justin (Hannah), Matthew, and Joseph Jellinek. He is also survived by siblings Mary Jellinek and Kurt (Emily) Jellinek, brother-in-law John (Lisa) Rumbolo, and sister-in-law Diane Welker. He was the life of the party and beloved by his extended family including cousins Judy (Ralph) Gardiner, Margaret (Karl) Bratcher, Genevieve (Bud) Dahl, and Peter Rumbolo. Charles was a loving uncle to Dominic Rumbolo, Gina (Nathan) Sarfaty, Lindsey Welker, Amber Rumbolo, Sarah, Max, and Jack Jellinek. He is preceded in death by his parents, Max and Marjorie Jellinek, parents-in-law, John and Betty Rumbolo, and Aunt Mary (nee Blaydes) Horne.
The visitation will be held at Kutis South County Chapel (5255 Lemay Ferry Rd, St. Louis, MO 63129) on Thursday, June 22nd from 3 to 8 PM. Funeral mass to be held at St. Francis of Assisi Church (4556 Telegraph Rd, St. Louis, MO 63129) on Friday, June 23rd at 10 AM. Interment to follow at Resurrection Cemetery.
Donations to the American Heart Association (https://www.heart.org/en/get-involved/ways-to-give) or St. Louis University High School (https://www.sluh.org/giving) are appreciated.
The funeral Mass will also be live-streamed at the links below:
Kurt and family,
So sorry for your loss. Prayers for your family during this tough time.
To Charles’ Family and Friends,
May your hearts find comfort as you honor and celebrate a man who lived and loved so well that he impacted so many lives for the good. May the God of all comfort and peace (2 Corinthians1: 2-5) meet you where you need it most today, and in the coming days and months.
To Family and Friends,
I was a client of Charles for about ten years. He was an exceptional attorney – practical, no-nonsense, and candid. He always offered me a sense of relief when we needed him most. And I never left a meeting with him without having had at least one good, calming laugh. We always knew family was very important to Charles and while he would find a way to take calls at inconvenient times, he made a point of expressing he was on vacation or with family – in such a way that we knew his top priority. I am grateful to have known Charles!
Prayers are with you – even from people you have never known.
Lisa, I am thinking about you and your family as you go through this unexpected process. I have fond memories of the St. Francis school days with our kids and carpooling with you all. Just know you have many in the community thinking of you and your family. I’m very sorry for your great loss.
What a beautiful tribute to an amazing man. Love and prayers to the family in this difficult time.
I would never had expected this, Charles was a great lawyer who I had spent many hours working with on various issues over the 15 years he was our/my Labor Attorney. Could not expect more from anyone as a counsel and friend. (Well maybe cheaper legal fees! 🙂 ) Had to end with a one liner for him.
“Words fail to express my deep sorrow for your loss.”
“My heart goes out to you and your family.”
I worked with Charles at Bryan Cave many years ago. He was such a pleasure to work with. The entire Jellinek family is in my thoughts and prayers. May the beautiful memories of Charles help ease the pain of the difficult moments.
I fondly remember Charles from undergrad poli sci classes at SLU and later saw his wit, humor and intelligence on full display as he hosted CLEs while at Bryan Cave. The description of his adult life gives great honor to a great person. Lisa – I am so sorry for your loss and for your sons and and family. God bless you during this time of sadness.
Lisa, Justin, Matthew, and Joe – We are so sorry for your loss. Charles was an amazing person, father and role model for the young men. We know our family is better for having Charles and your whole family in our lives. We love you all and our thoughts and prayers are with you and your family.
Love – The Fields Family
I worked with Charles for many years at BCLP. He was always quick with jokes and humor. I never saw him without a smile. I’m shocked and saddened to hear of his passing. Thoughts and prayers for all family and friends. He was truly one of a kind and will be sorely missed.
Sincerest Sympathies from your neighbors Rich and Mary Ludwig.
I don’t know your family personally, but I am a member of St. Francis of Assisi Parish. After reading all of these comments, I wish I had known him. Sending prayers to your family at this time of loss. I also found it special that his visitation is on St. Thomas More’s feast day.
On June 22, the Catholic Church celebrates the feast of St. Thomas More, the patron saint of those in legal professions. St. Thomas More was a lawyer, social philosopher, author, statesman and noted Renaissance humanist. He opposed King Henry VIII’s separation from the Catholic Church and refused to accept him as the head of the Church of England. He spent much of his life writing in defense of the Catholic Church. He was executed in 1535.
Our prayers and thoughts are with you during this time. My personal interactions with Charles were through the boys at SFA but anytime we crossed paths he was always very kind and had a hello with a smile. The tribute to him is just remarkable. Heaven has gained a great one. Blessings to you all.
Matt, I am so sorry for your and your family’s loss of your Dad so suddenly and at such a young age. However, I am grateful for what a wonderful man you were privileged to have as your father. I give thanks for all the blessings that have come to him and through him. My prayers with all of your family with this difficult loss of his presence in this life in time and space.
My upmost sympathy to all of you. I did not know Charles personally, but I sincerely wish I had. In reading about his life, God blessed the earth with a great father, husband, mentor and simply an outstanding individual.
May God wrap his loving arms around each of you and hold you tight through the pain and sorrow.
I will hold you all in my thoughts and prayers.
I am so sorry for your loss.
I had the privilege of being one of Charles’s clients. Our company learned so much from him and enjoyed the way he humanized all of our discussions. He was a steady hand for us no matter the challenge. He will be missed, but we are all better off for having known Charles.
Sooo very sorry for your loss!! Such an amazing man!
We just heard the news and are stunned. So sorry for your unimaginable loss. We remember Charles so fondly from our time together as neighbors.