Chung Chian Wang's Obituary
Chung Chian Wang passed on January 15, 2024, near Allen, Texas at the age 84.
Chung was born in Henan, China to Ching Ming Wang and Hsueh-Shan Wang. His father was a cabinet member in the Nationalist government. At the age of 10, his family fled to Taiwan as the Communist Party took control of China.
Chung grew up in Taiwan and studied Electrical Engineering at National Cheng Kung University. He had the opportunity to study in the United States, and arrived in New York in 1962. He earned a Masters in Electrical Engineering at the University of Rochester, New York, a Ph.D in Computer Science at State University of New York at Buffalo, and then taught Computer Science as an Assistant Professor at the University of Kentucky.
In the private sector, Chung threw himself into challenges around database system architecture and design. He earned patents and published prolifically at IBM Research, Bell Labs and Texas Instruments. His work in Database Administration Systems at Bell Labs indirectly reached every household in the United States (when landline phones were still commonplace). At Texas Instruments, he was particularly excited to have the opportunity to work on an electronic holographic 3D display system, which he saw as a new frontier. He took great inspiration from his esteemed colleagues throughout his career including at Rockwell and Raytheon.
He was intellectually curious and enthralled by the personal computing revolution occurring in the 80s. He acquired the first version of the Apple Macintosh and the first home laser printer, the HP LaserJet (it had its own table). He continued to tinker with personal computers at home. It was not uncommon to find a mess of computer circuit boards lying about. In his passing, he leaves behind an extensive collection of artifacts demonstrating how far technology has come.
Chung first met his dear wife in Taiwan in high school and then again in the United States while Chung was at IBM Research and studying at Stanford. They wed in the Bay Area and were married for over 57 years, building their lives in New York, Kentucky, Illinois, New Jersey and Dallas and raising two daughters.
Chung was an engaged and loving father who prioritized his children’s education, happiness and personal success. He transported them to piano lessons, packed their lunches, helped them with their homework, encouraged writing and reading the newspaper, drilled them in their math lessons. He bought fishing rods and skis when he knew nothing about fishing or skiing. He was a ‘girl dad’ and washed hair in the sink, de-tangled hair, bought maxi pads (with wings!). He took his daughters dress shopping, took countless photographs, recorded videos with camcorders and pulled all-nighters with them the night before science projects were due. Like many immigrants, Chung acknowledged and appreciated the opportunities that had opened up to him in the US and was dogged in securing the same for his children. As a grandfather, he delighted in cheering on the next generation at swim meets and basketball games.
In their retired years, Chung and Teresa took on new challenges in the ballroom dancing circuit, learning as much as they could, including the cha cha, waltz, tango, foxtrot, swing, rumba, line dancing, and paso doble. They enjoyed a renewed connection as a couple from dancing socially.
Chung was a playful and charming man who made friends easily, at the senior center and beyond. He was a loyal friend and loved deeply with his heart even if he did not readily express it. He lived life fully and will be dearly missed.
Chung is survived by his wife, Teresa Wang, daughters Patricia Wang, Alicia Werres, son-in-law, Marc Werres, grandchildren Quinn and Owen, sister Jean Wu, sister-in-law Christine Wang, nephew Stanley Wang, and nieces Vivian Obarski, Stella Weix, Stephanie Wang.
Chung is predeceased by his father Hsueh-Shan Wang, his mother Ching Ming Wang, his brother Meng-chian Wang and his brother in law Zhi Dan Wu.
Visitation will be on Friday February 2nd from 2-4:30 PM at Restland Funeral Home (13005 Greenville Avenue, Dallas, TX 75243)
The memorial service will be on Saturday February 3rd at 11 AM at Frisco Community Bible Church (10055 Warren Pkwy, Frisco, TX 75035)
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