Charles B. Rich, MD

September 15, 2017

Charles Boyce Rich Jr., MD died on September 15, 2017. He was born on April 6, 1954 in Charlotte to Charles Boyce and Mary Janet Rich as the fourth child and lucky brother to three wonderful sisters Janet Thies, Boyce Gyger, and Lyttleton Hollowell. He married his devoted wife, Marsha Loos Rich and created a new branch of his family with a daughter, Jennifer Clare Rich, and son, Charles “Chad” Boyce Rich III.

Charlie grew up in Charlotte attending Eastover Elementary, AG Junior High, and Myers Park High School. He graduated from UNC Charlotte with a Bachelor of Science in biology and a Bachelor of Arts in chemistry. He worked hard to pursue his dream and calling to be a physician. He attended Wake Forest Bowman Gray School of Medicine, graduating with honors (Alpha Omega Alpha) as a Medical Doctor in 1982, and then completed his internship and residency in 1985 at Emory University Medical System.

Charlie and Marsha moved to Charlotte from Atlanta in 1986 to rejoin his family and start their own. He joined Mecklenburg Medical Group (MMG) - Uptown. With commitment and compassion he served his patients for 31 years. He prided himself on moving the quality of healthcare in new directions and held leadership roles with MMG and Carolinas Healthcare System. He served as President of the Mecklenburg County Medical Society and Vice President of the North Carolina State Medical Society. He was often voted by his patients as ‘top’ or ‘best doctor’ in local and national publications. He was also the recipient of the Distinguished Alumni Award from his alma mater, UNC Charlotte. Charlie was a committed teacher and mentor to his peers, medical students, residents, and other health professionals in training.  He loved his noble profession, and felt privileged to have the honor of being a physician and to help others through their life journey.

His probing intellect nourished his awe and reverence for the marvel of our world and the humans that have made it so extraordinary. Through a life of contemplation, he embraced a worldview based on the principles of ethical humanism and the epistemological foundation of science. Realizing the extraordinary era in which we live, he engaged in the advances of knowledge and was an avid reader of nonfiction and science.

His strongest love was for his family and his profession. He treasured nature, enjoyed hiking and camping, and loved the relaxed times with family and friends at the lake, mountains, and beach. He delighted in music and over the years played the guitar, piano, and saxophone.

In addition to his parents, Charlie was preceded in death by his sister Janet Thies, and brother-in-law and mentor Frank R. Thies Jr. He is survived by his wife, Marsha of Charlotte; his daughter Jennifer Clare Rich and his son Charles “Chad” Rich III; his sisters Lyttleton Hollowell and her husband Tom of Charlotte, and Boyce Gyger and her husband, Roland of Geneva, Switzerland; and his many beloved nieces and nephews, great nieces and nephews, and cousins.

A celebration of his life will be held at 4:00 pm on Sunday, September 24, at the Queens University Sports Complex at 2229 Tyvola Rd, Charlotte, NC 28210. In lieu of flowers, the family requests that memorial donations be made to Foundation for the Carolinas for the benefit of the Charles B. Rich Jr., MD Charitable Fund for the purpose of advancing knowledge and education in the health sciences.

Charlie’s devoted family will grieve his loss and cherish his memory forever.

Arrangements are in the care of Kenneth Poe Funeral & Cremation Service, 1321 Berkeley Ave., Charlotte, NC 28204; (704) 641-7606. Online condolences can be shared at www.kennethpoeservices.com.

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  • Bobby P Matthew

    Today 3/10/2023, I was thinking about my Primary Care Physician, so I googled him and was in shock when I read the news. I met him when he had an office in the First Union Campus close to the University in 2001. He was my physician up until I moved and retired to India in 2012. A wonderful human and an amazing physician. We talked a lot about travel and food. I recall one instance where I had to do a nuclear stress test on the treadmill, and I was petrified to be enclosed in that machine. He had moved his practice downtown by then and when he knew I was on the treadmill fearful of it, he personally came there and waited with me as I completed the routine. Not anyone would do that, but he did. I will never forget that gesture. Thank you from the bottom of my heart for taking care of me.

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  • Lynn Young

    I have been in a complete state of denial and not able to write anything for months. I owe my life and my second child to Dr. Rich. He diagnosed a rare tumor the first day I met him. I was complaining about a common ear infection when he ask to see my drivers license, which I thought was odd. After he looked at it he said he thought he knew what was wrong and he certainly did. He was there for me during a year of testing, encouraging me that I was handling it well and to hang in there. Then he put up with my internet-researched opinions for my recovery after the tumor was removed. I lived to have my sweet daughter and find the man of my dreams. I loved that he would tell me exactly what he thought, not mincing words because I needed to hear them and he had my best interest at heart. He was a friend that I will miss dearly. I wish all the love and happiness that life has to bring for his family.

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  • George C. Blanchard

    I was very sorry to hear about Dr.Rich's passing, this September. A native Charlottean I have been living in Williamsburg, VA for 20 years. Charlie was my family doctor for a number of years while I was still living in North Carolina. I remember his name in high school growing up. I saw his as a driven man with deep convictions about what he wanted to do and his need to be a doctor. He was thorough and always gave special care to has patients in a very professional way. He will be greatly missed by everyone who knew him. Warmest thoughts and prayers. George Blanchard
    665 Fairfax way Williamsburg,Va 23185 757-784-0415

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  • Jim Laseter

    I just learned that Charlie had passed away in September. I am in shock, as are many of you. Charlie was a friend and a physician I completely trusted. I
    will miss him very much.

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  • Philip Borneman

    Dr. Rich was the best doctor I have ever seen. He was my doctor for 22years I will never forget he gave me a piece of advice that changed my life for ever and I told him how much that changed my life . To this day I live a better man because of what he told me. He was my doctor till I retired in 2008 and I was sad when I moved to Willard NC because I had to get a new doctor and it's not the same . I felt like he was my brother he always said the right things and he would explain things where you could understand. I am sorry for your lose he was a wonderful man and I will miss him. Phil Borneman

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  • Brian Huffstetler

    Dr. Rich was my physician for nearly 20 years. I was stunned to receive the letter from MMG that we had lost this incredible Doctor. My sincere thoughts and prayers go to his entire family. He will sadly missed.

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  • Judi Santolla Wadsworth

    I was stunned to hear the news of Charles passing. I was both a king time patient of his and he was a client of mine before I retired from Wachovia. I was so looking forward to seeing him again soon for my annual physical. My thoughts and prayers are with him and his family at this time.

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  • Barry Taylor-Brill

    I always thought I would lose Dr. Rich to retirement, not this way. He became my doctor in 1995 when I moved to Charlotte. We connected right away, not a tribute to me, but to him. He got his patients. He cared about them. Knew them as people, not just as patients. He listened to me and was never condescending or judgmental even when I extolled the virtues of certain supplements or home remedies that might sound wacky. He even checked things out on the internet or in the medical literature to give me his opinion. For example, this summer he printed out "Nothing Boring About Boron" after I asked him about the anti-prostate cancer and other benefits of this element. He knew the practice of medicine is most effective when it's a collaboration between doctor and patient. Wonderful doctor. Wonderful man. I cannot imagine what his family is going through. Devastating. What I will always remember about him is his smile and his eyes. They twinkled.

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  • Ralph Broome

    So sad to receive a letter today that Dr Rich passed. I was shocked along with saddened. After knowing him and him being my doctor I am really going to miss him. Prayers in his family and close friends.

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  • Tammie Morris

    This was so shocking to me. I only got to visit him twice since Dr. Dair relocated. I really admired him and his concern for his patients. God meant for him to be my physician because if it wasn't for Dr. Rich I would have not known about my thyroid cancer. I truly miss him.

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