Mr. Robert Pei-Ching Chang

As we share our memories and stories of Robert Chang, we remember a loving husband and father, a caring friend and a hardworking man.

Robert entered this world on July 3rd, 1939 in Qingdao, in the province of Shandong, China. He grew up in a loving family. His father, Wen Hwa Chang, owned a factory producing matches and his mother Shu Zhen Song was a homemaker. They had 6 children. Robert was their 2nd child and he was close to his 5 brothers. His father was successful but was also regarded as a philanthropist. He donated Chinese Steamed Buns to feed refugees in Qingdao during difficult times such as the Japanese Occupation. By witnessing the generosity of his family, a seed of compassion was planted in young Robert’s heart.

The establishment of the People’s Republic of China in 1949 changed China forever. Robert’s parents brought their children away from Qingdao and settled in Taiwan. At that time, Robert was 10 years old. He grew up in Taiwan and excelled in school and displayed talents in Mathematics and Chemistry. He was then admitted to the renowned Taiwan University, majoring in Forestry. After receiving his Bachelor’s degree, he worked as a school teacher before being accepted to the graduate program in Forestry at the University of New Brunswick in Canada. He worked hard and received his Master’s degree from UNB while leaving lasting impressions upon classmates and professors alike. Then he made a cross-country move to a doctoral program at the University of British Columbia where he invented ways to derive energy from wood.

In 1990, he ventured out to start his own company trading logs and lumber internationally and was one of the true pioneers in opening the Chinese log and lumber markets for Canada. In the beginning, the business faced many obstacles and had limited financial resources -- but Robert overcame them and his business grew to be very successful. He was a strong-willed person, and would not yield to any adversity. Before owning his own business, he worked at Fountainhead Enterprises Corporation, a large import/export company for many years managing the log and lumber trading division.

1968 was a special year for Robert when he married an attractive young lady named Anne. Robert fell in love with her when he was a university student. After dating her for 4 years, with blessings from parents and friends, they had a memorable wedding in Taiwan. Robert and Anne were well matched and were devoted to one another for their entire lives and 50 years of marriage. They had 2 sons, Roland in 1977, and Alan in 1980. After Roland was married, they gained a wonderful daughter-in-law, Eva and later 2 lovely granddaughters Kaela and Kensie.

Robert worked very hard. His business frequently required him to fly to Asia. He had very good business sense, great negotiation skills and was smart with numbers; he always wore a calculator watch long before smartphones or smartwatches came about. But most important was his sincerity and his compassion for people – family, friends, and business included. His genuine and caring nature made him a very friendly person to be with. Robert knew the value of face to face meetings; he cherished gatherings, talking with others, making new friends and connecting people to one another. He would share your joy or sorrow, and he would offer his help whenever he could. When he saw that others were happy then he was happy, too. He loved inviting everyone to restaurants, and he was an enthusiastic sightseeing guide for out-of-town friends and family. Many of his business connections developed into true and long-lasting friendships that stood the test of time and distance.

Robert was also dedicated to his wife and to his children. His sons felt his love and saw him as a role model. Roland remembers his father’s creative skills as he helped him on many art and drawing assignments in elementary school. Alan remembers boat rides they took along the Fraser River to inspect logs and working together to complete the vision of his garden. They also each have fond memories of their parents taking them, their friends, and their neighbors’ children, sometimes up to 6 of them at once, to see dinosaurs at science museums, and to swimming pools. Robert recorded these trips filled with fun and joy on a video camera preserving the memories for years to come. His sons each remember learning to drive from Robert – whilst also being taught the virtues of patience and tolerance of others both on the road and in life. Robert was undoubtedly a good provider, dedicated and loyal to his family. He made sure that his wife and children were well provided for. Furthermore, he took care of the older generation, not only his own parents, but also the parents of his wife when they moved to Vancouver. He was a good son and a good son-in-law.

Robert also had an artistic side. He translated for Anne’s father when he taught Chinese painting classes and developed a passion and sense for water colours. His wife said that because of his busy work schedule, he unfortunately did not have time to paint -- even though this was one of his favourite interests. He also had a deep passion for gardening. He was an expert in many species of plants and grew many kinds of flowers and trees in his garden for years, while adding pond-scapes swimming with koi fish. Working on his garden and his ponds, feeding his beautiful fish and watching them swim – all gave him great pleasure.

Robert enjoyed reading the newspaper. He especially delighted in analysing the politics of Taiwan and discussing his views with friends.

His family had a lovely tradition of getting altogether for dinner once a week and enjoying some good food and wonderful family time. Sometimes, Robert and Anne would together make dumplings (a favourite from Shandong) in different flavors for their family. The family also enjoyed travelling together to visit everyone they had met over the years; which took them to places such as the BC interior, and Asian cities such as Taiwan, Hong Kong, and Shanghai. These trips were delightful and full of treasured memories as well as tastings of wonderful food. Although Robert had stepped on the ground of many cities in the world – he always concluded that he loved Vancouver the most.

When he was young, Robert enjoyed perfect health. He was on the Taiwan University swimming team. Ten years ago, he was diagnosed with colon cancer. As it was found at an early stage, the medical treatment had a much higher success rate. Robert was soon cancer free, but problems with his back emerged after that. Sadly, cancer was found in his stomach again in 2016 and then again in 2017. This time it was a bigger challenge. But he remained optimistic about life. He was a thoughtful and enduring man. He did not complain and did not want to worry anyone else with his predicament. In his final days, he kept calm and brave. He touched us all and really earned our respect.

On May 17th, 2017, Robert passed away peacefully at Burnaby Hospital surrounded by his loving and devoted family. He was 77 years old.

REFLECTION

Robert has completed his earthly journey. While he was alive, he was like a burning candle giving warmth and light to everyone around him. He will be sorely missed by all who knew him, especially by his wife and children.

Robert raised them and provided them with a loving family. He worked very hard to build a solid emotional and financial foundation for them. Their love and respect for him will never end. He will be remembered for his absolute dedication to his family.

May his family be granted peace. Robert’s soul will be cared for perfectly in the land of eternal happiness.

While we are saddened by his departure, we are glad for him that he had a good and fulfilling life.

He had to start from scratch when he left Taiwan for a new life in Canada. His perseverance was rewarded: after gaining scholarships for his university education and devoting all his efforts to working hard, he eventually established his own company and built it into a great success that he could be proud of, and forging many long-lasting relationships along the way.

He had a wonderful family: a devoted wife, caring children, adoring grandchildren, beloved parents and parents-in-law. He was the spirit of his entire family and his love touched them all. Every member of the family will always remain appreciative of him.

He had a big heart and earned many good friends. He was always there to offer his love, advice, and friendship. All of us can learn from his caring nature to others. He has passed on his generous and kind spirit to his sons, Roland and Alan, just like how his father passed it onto him.

When he left the world on the 17th of May, he was not alone. He was peaceful and was surrounded by the love of his family. His wife, his two sons and his daughter- in-law were by his side. They were the people who loved him and whom he loved most.

Although his life on earth has ended, his spirit will not die, and we are grateful he was the person that he was. His personality, his generosity, and his smile have touched and affected us. Robert will continue to live in our memories and the memories of everyone who knew him. His spiritual and material legacy, will surely benefit his family, friends and the community.

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Robert Pei-Ching Chang was born in Qingdao, China on July 3, 1939 and sadly passed away from cancer at Burnaby Hospital on May 17, 2017, surrounded by his loving and devoted family. He was 77 years old. Robert Pei-Ching Chang is survived by his wife Anne, sons Roland and Alan, daughter-in-law Eva, and grand-daughters Kaela and Kensie – all of whom will miss him and remember him always. He will also be greatly missed by his brothers Pei-Kung, Pei-Shen, and Pei-Hon, as well as the many other family and friends that he built strong and lasting relationships with over the years.

Robert was a loving husband and father, a caring friend and sincere and hardworking businessman, and one of the true pioneers in opening the Chinese log and lumber markets for Canada. He touched us all while also earning our respect.

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We have setup an "In-memory-page" if you wish to make a donation to the burnaby hospital foundation in Robert's name in lieu of sending flowers or other gifts.

http://www.bhfoundation.ca/make-a-difference/honour-someone-special/in-memory-page/robert-pei-ching-chang

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On behalf of Anne, Alan, myself and the entire Chang family we would like to acknowledge and thank you for all of your expressions of support, sympathy, and for spending your time with us to say goodbye at Robert's service on June 10th, 2017. I'm sure Robert would have been very happy to have seen such a strong showing of support over the past few weeks and at the service.

We have put the slideshow to remember Robert online; please help us to pass it on to all those who were unable to attend the service -- but were with us in spirit and whom may wish to take a moment to remember Robert on their own.

https://youtu.be/Vd_zY5lnxxg

Sincerely,

-- Chang family.