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.
