Derek Chiou

Born in 1968, Derek Chiou was the eldest son of Dr. Jiunn Chiou and Rita Lin. He grew up in Michigan, where he discovered lifelong passions for computing and fast cars. Derek graduated from high school and went on to study at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT), where he received his Bachelor’s, Master’s, and Doctoral degrees in Electrical Engineering and Computer Science. During his years at MIT, Derek developed a close community of friends, whose connections he nurtured throughout his life, while continuing to form additional meaningful friendships. After earning his PhD, the newly-minted Dr. Derek Chiou worked for several years as a systems architect for Avici Systems. He next joined the faculty at the University of Texas, Austin (UT), and several years later took a leave of absence to work at Microsoft as a Partner Hardware Architect. In 2020, Derek returned to UT as a full professor and was honored with the Temple Foundation Endowed Teaching Fellowship in Engineering, a position he held until the time of his passing.

In 2017, Derek married the love of his life, Angie Liu, in a joyful celebration in Angie’s hometown of Los Angeles. Over the next few years, they balanced their time between Austin, Seattle and Los Angeles before settling on a home together in Austin.

Outside of work, Derek had many interests that enriched his life. His curious and adventurous spirit was nourished by his passions for driving go-karts and high-performance cars on racetracks, savoring good food, hunting for the best deals at Costco, collecting music, and thinking creatively about how to solve problems in the world. Amidst it all, family and friends remained centrally important to him. He travelled extensively, not just for work but also to spend quality time with those he loved. Derek shared his various interests with those closest to him, and he especially enjoyed sharing his enthusiasm for go-karting with his godchildren Krista, Jacqueline, and Devin; his nieces Nia, Taryn, Zoë, Annabel, and Zoe; and nephew Walden.

At UT, Derek’s research contributions, his unwavering dedication to his students, and his active involvement in the department left a lasting impact on faculty and students. He was admired not only for his many significant advancements in cloud computing, but also for the care and mentorship he offered to those he taught and worked alongside. In recognition of his exceptional contributions to the field, he was nominated for the prestigious IEEE Fellow—a distinction reserved only for those whose achievements are deemed extraordinary by the Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers. While at Microsoft, he made substantial contributions to a myriad of projects, such as Bing, AI, Azure Networking, and Storage. Many of Microsoft's achievements in these areas, and the current state of the industry, are in no small amount a result of Derek's efforts. Over the course of his career, he was an inventor on at least 14 patents, a testament to his ingenuity and dedication to innovation.

To Derek’s friends, he is remembered for his generosity, warmth, and ability to be a patient listener and thoughtful problem-solver. He was always willing to lend a hand or an ear, offering kindness and deep empathy in times of need.

To Derek’s family, particularly his mom, Rita, and his brother, Jeff, he regularly gave his care and support as needed. They will miss him.

To Derek's three godchildren, he was a constant, loving presence that shaped their lives tremendously. They knew they could call him anytime to talk about anything, and that he would always find a way to be there for their important milestones or if they just needed his support. They saw in Derek what it truly means to think of others before yourself.

To Derek’s wife, Angie, he was the love of her life, her rock, and steadfast companion. They were so much in love. She will forever treasure the years they shared together, and for all the love, joy, laughter, and memories they created.

Derek passed away at the age of 56 while traveling to be with family. He will be deeply missed by all who knew him as a loving husband, a true friend, a supportive mentor, a devoted uncle, a caring brother and son, and a man of genuine kindness. He is preceded in death by his father, Jiunn Chiou. He is survived by his wife, Angie Liu, his mother, Rita (spouse Brian) Wood, and his brother, Jeff (spouse Lyndie) Chiou, and his nieces, nephew, and godchildren.

In memory of Derek's passion for education, donations in the name of Dr. Derek Chiou at either Massachusetts Institute of Technology or University of Texas are welcome.

Massachusetts Institute of Technology

https://giving.mit.edu/derek-chiou

Brenda Richard ([email protected])

Derek Chiou (1989) Memorial Fund Number: 3793230

University of Texas

https://giving.utexas.edu/chiou

Chandler Tomsu ([email protected])

In memory of Derek Chiou. (405, 99)

We invite you to share cherished memories and stories of Derek on the tribute website:

https://www.kudoboard.com/boards/dT6V2UEV