Charles L. Warrender

The family of Col. Charles L. Warrender M.D. is grieved to share the news of his death on January 28, 2025, at home.

Charles Warrender was born on June 8th, 1934, to Charles and Mary Warrender, in Wichita. He was the eldest of two sons. He graduated from East High School in Wichita, Kansas, in 1952. He graduated from Wichita State University in 1956. He graduated from the University of Kansas Medical School in 1960. He was a member of the Army reserves and after graduating, he immediately moved to full-time Army. He left the Army after five years and finished his residency in psychiatry at Baylor University in 1966. In 1975, he joined the United States Air Force and worked as a Flight Surgeon, eventually earning the rank of Colonel. He rejoined the Army in 1979, and he completed his Masters in Public Health from Tulane University in 1980. Finally, he left the military in 1983. He worked in the mental health field until he retired in 2009.

Charles married Laura Jane Rogge September 9th, 1954. They had their first daughter, Laura Robin, in 1956. Four years later, they had identical twins, Melissa Leigh and Melanie Lynne. They would later welcome 8 grandchildren, 22 great-grandchildren, and one great-great-grandchild.

Being in the military allowed Charles to see many parts of the world, including Europe, the Caribbean, and all 50 states. He was a prolific reader and loved learning the most recent scientific discoveries. Charles was an avid outdoorsman his entire life, even carving his own duck decoys. He was also a woodworker who built his own furniture.

He was preceded in death by his parents and his daughter Melanie Lynne Dorr, as well as his sons-in-law, Peter Dorr and John Chew. He is survived by his wife, his daughters Laura Robin Chew, Melissa Leigh Blake and her husband Robert Blake, and all his grandchildren, great-grandchildren, and great-great-grandchild, and his brother Robert Warrender. Services will be held at Atonement Lutheran on Saturday, Feb. 8th, at 11:00 AM. In lieu of flowers please send donations to Ducks Unlimited’s conservation fund.