Joseph Chaisam OH

Dr. Joseph Chaisam Oh, of Redlands, California, departed his life on Tuesday, May 5, 2020. He was born on April 10, 1937 to the union of In Whan Oh and Soon Jong Lee. He was the youngest son and the 4thchild of 6 children. Joseph was born and raised in Korea. From 7th– 12thgrade, he attended and graduated from Sahmyook Academy in Seoul, Korea. Following graduation he entered the Sahmyook theology school and attended for one year.

After one year in theology school, he served three years in the Korean Air Force and was stationed in the supply department to provide supplies to all American and South Korean military personnel. 6 months prior to being discharged from the Air Force, he taught math to middle school children at Sahmyook Academy. His desire was to continue his education in the United States and he spent countless hours writing to universities in America. In 1964, Peru State College in Nebraska offered him a four year scholarship. He travelled by an American Navy boat to begin his education in the United States.

In 1968 he graduated with a Bachelor of Arts in Chemistry from Peru State College. In 1969, Joseph met his future wife Carolina Chor Hua Lim. They were married in Chicago, Ilinois, March 22,1970. Joseph graduated from Chosun University, college of Medicine in Gwangju, Korea with his Doctorate in Medicine in 1974.

Joseph returned to the United States after accepting a pediatric residency at Youngstown/Akron Children’s Hospital in Ohio (1975-1977). After completing his residency, Joseph completed a three year Neonatology fellowship at the University of California, Irvine (1977-1979).

In 1980, he became a partner at Lakewood Pediatrics Medical Group in Lakewood, California. Soon after he became the sole practitioner and owner of Lakewood Pediatrics Medical Group. During this time, he was on staff at Memorial Care Miller Children’s Hospital Long Beach, Lakewood Regional Medical Center, and St. Mary’s Medical Center. From 1994-1995 he served as Chief of Pediatrics at Miller Children’s Hospital, Long Beach. He was also affiliated with UC Irvine Medical school as a mentor for pediatric outpatient rotations. Always a life-long learner and lover of medicine, he truly enjoyed mentoring medical students as they made their pediatric rotations.

Joseph retired from private practice in September 2015. He was a dedicated and caring doctor who inspired his patients to be healthy and strive for their goals. He believed in whole health which included physical and emotional well being. Forever a practicing doctor he spent his retirement reading medical journals and regularly attending weekly Grand Rounds at Memorial Care Miller Children’s Hospital in Long Beach. Medicine was truly his passion.

Joseph was preceded in death by his parents, his brothers Jai Yun (David) Oh, Jai Ho (Charles) Oh. He is survived by his sisters, Jai Un (Jane) Cho, Hai Cha (Deborah) Yeo, and Un Ja (Mayfair) Kim, his wife, Carolina Chor Hua Oh, his two children: Bryan Chang Seok Oh (married to Tina Park) and Shannon Seon Mee Oh Jamison (married to Kevin Jamison). He also leaves behind 5 grandchildren and many close family and friends to cherish his memory. Full memorial services will be announced by the family at a later date.