Henry W. Chau

Henry Chau departed this earthly life on September 29, after a long illness stemming from a traumatic brain injury in February 2021. The first son of John and Maria Chau, he was born in Hong Kong in 1956, joining his older sister Filomena. The family emigrated to the United States just one week after Henry’s arrival, settling in Washington, DC. Upon graduation from Washington & Lee High School in Arlington (now Liberty), Henry earned a Bachelor of Science in Civil Engineering from Rutgers and a Master of Science in Business Administration from Rider University. Following employment at the New Jersey Department of Environmental Services, he joined the Federal Emergency Management Administration and relocated to San Francisco. His work with FEMA focused on flood insurance and he traveled throughout the southwestern United States giving townhall presentations and working with the public. In 2008, Henry left his beloved San Francisco to work in FEMA’s Philadelphia office of flood plain management until his retirement in 2015. No matter where Henry lived, he enjoyed the camaraderie of the many social, faith-based, and musical groups to which he belonged. He discovered a passion for the guitar and singing and was active in both the San Francisco and Philadelphia Gay Men’s Chorus and Dignity. He was an experienced traveler, visiting Europe multiple times, as well as southeast Asia, Australia, and Canada. On many occasions, his mother was his travel companion. Henry was preceded in death by his father John and mother Maria Chau. He is survived by his sister Filomena Chau (husband James Bachmaier) and brother Maurice (Kathleen) Chau, six nephews and nieces, and three great-nephews and two great-nieces. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Philadelphia’s Philabundance Food Bank at philabundance.org