Charles Brent Bertram was born on June 17, 1956, at Tinker Air Force Base in Midwest City, Oklahoma.  He graduated from Russell County High School, then attended Eastern Kentucky University, where he earned his bachelor’s degree in sociology, followed by his MBA.  Brent then entered the United States Air Force as a Captain, serving as a hospital administrator at Holloman AFB in Alamogordo, New Mexico.  He was married to Karen in 1985, and following their discharges, they made their home together in Kansas City, Missouri for the next 40 years.  Brent earned a law degree at the University of Missouri Kansas City, and spent the remainder of his career practicing corporate law as associate general counsel.

Although life was not always kind and gentle to him, Brent remained a kind and gentle man.  He learned something about everything, and was always well-read, with a stack of books in progress.  He was so intelligent, and we loved his sharp wit.  His interests varied widely, from vintage comics to the Beatles to Star Trek to the KC Royals.  For as long as his health allowed, he was an avid runner, participating in many local races and finishing the Chicago Marathon in honor of his 50th birthday.  He achieved a lifelong goal of climbing to the summit of Mount Kilimanjaro at age 57.

Brent was a lover of animals and cared for any creature that came to his door.  He watched the weather carefully so that he could take good care of the landscape and wildlife surrounding his home.  In his retirement years, our “cat whisperer” rescued five strays and transitioned them to a comfortable indoor life in his home.

Brent was part of a large family and spent a lot of his time helping us with whatever we needed.  He was a treasured husband, brother, and father.  He was a loving Pop to his granddaughters, a special “Uncle Bent” to his many nieces and nephews, and a compassionate caregiver to our family’s elders.

Brent died on September 13, 2025, holding the hands of his wife and daughter.  He was 69 years old.  He is irreplaceable and unforgettable.

Brent is survived by:

His wife, Karen Bertram;

His sister, Melanie Bertram;

His daughter, Summer Davies (Sarah);

His grandchildren, Kate Davies and Caroline Davies; 

His fathers-in-law Jim Siress and Jim Meyers;

His sisters-in-law Kathy Siress, Jeannette Ford, Julie Duncan (Bill), and Wendy Kerkaert (Wayne);

His nieces and nephews Brittany Borton, Jonathan Ford (Stephanie), Joshua Ford (Alexa Wright), Cooper Duncan, Grant Duncan, Brian Muldoon (Walls Trimble), Molly Ryck (Tom), Hannah Kerkaert, Luke Kerkaert (Dani Groff), Matthew Kerkaert, and Grace Kerkaert;

His great-nieces and great-nephews Chelsea Bertram, Caleb Clendenen, River Ford, Melody Ford, Lily Ford, Tommy Ryck, and Cecelia Ryck. Also survived by his dear friends Jim and JoAnn Brady and all those whose life he touched. 

Brent was preceded in death by his mother Patricia Bertram, his mothers-in-law Mary Ann Meyers and Ruth Siress, and his nephew Brady Duncan.

Brent’s family wishes to thank the caregivers he encountered at St. Luke’s Health System for their excellent care and compassion.   We are so grateful to the St. Luke’s Hospice House team (Romonda, Paige, and most especially Sue Ann) for helping us walk Brent home.We also wish to thank our neighbors Karen and Tim Jennings for their invaluable support.

No formal service is planned, and private interment will follow at a later date, in accordance with Brent’s wishes.  For those who wish to honor Brent’s memory, please consider making a donation to the Humane Society, or the animal welfare organization of your choice.

He was our loving sherpa – quietly doing the heavy lifting for everyone.