Charlotte Strah Kirchner

Charlotte Strah Kirchner, 79, of Tucson, AZ, passed away March 5, 2017, in Phoenix, AZ, after a year-long battle with cancer.  She was born September 25, 1937, in Pittsburg, KS.  She spent her childhood in Arkansas, KS, graduating from Arkansas City High School in 1955.  Charlotte graduated from Kansas State University in 1959 where she was a member of Pi Beta Phi sorority.  She taught school in Kansas City, KS before marrying Dr. Fernando “Ferd” Kirchner in 1962.  Charlotte was Ferd’s assistant, typing and editing many medical papers for him and later became the manager of his ENT medical practice.  They lived at Lake Quivira, KS until 1989 when they moved to Tucson, AZ, where they were members of Skyline and La Paloma Country Clubs and St. Thomas the Apostle Catholic Church.  Charlotte was a prolific gardener, golfer, tennis player and volunteer, active with Junior League of Kansas City, Nelson Art Gallery, KU Medical Center’s Women’s Auxiliary, Pi Beta Phi Alumnae Club, El Jardin Garden Club and Reading Seed Literacy Program. She is survived by two daughters, Dr. Laura (Tom) O’Malley, Phoenix, AZ; Melissa (Randy) Bright, Destin, FL; five grandchildren, Erin and Tara O’Malley and Georgia, Halle and Kirch Bright; and twin sister, Charlene Strate of Vail, CO.  Charlotte’s husband of 54 years, Fernando Kirchner, MD and sister Mary Jane Strah preceded her in death.

Services are pending.