Dr. Ming-Chwan Chow

Ming was born on April 12, 1937, in the Year of the Ox, in Kaohsiung, Taiwan. His parents, Ju-Yi and Ching-Tze Chou, were hard working farmers. Ming was the oldest of three brothers, and from an early age demonstrated a uniquely beautiful balance of both intellectual and emotional intelligence. He was the first member of his family to attend college, graduating from the prestigious National Taiwan University in 1960, earning a Bachelor of Science in Electrical Engineering.

Following graduation, Ming became a teacher at Kaohsiung Girls High School, developing his educational skills and a keen desire to advance learning. In 1963, fortuitously facilitated through a matchmaker, he met his soon-to-be life partner, Joann Chao-Chu. Later that year, Ming embarked on an adventure to the United States of America, landing in Rolla, Missouri. Joann joined him in 1964. Both had student visas as part of President Eisenhower’s People to People International program. Ming and Joann were married on June 19, 1965. They welcomed their first child, Anne Hui-An, in 1966.

Ming pursued his advanced degrees at the University of Missouri at Rolla with a sense of thoughtful reasoning, duty, and service. He completed his Master of Science and PhD in Electrical Engineering in just over three years, graduating in 1968. After accepting a job offer from the famed AT&T Bell Laboratories in Holmdel, New Jersey, Ming moved his young family to the east coast, embarking on the next stage of their lives. Later in 1968, as residents of Matawan, NJ, Ming and Joann welcomed their second child, Daniel Teh-An. In 1974, the Chow family moved a short distance to Holmdel, where they would live happily for three decades. It was in this home that Ming and Joann grew their love for trees and greenery, meticulously choosing, planting, and caring for wide varietals all over their yard. Ming’s home was a great source of pride for him, as evidenced by the basement finishing project which he completed by himself in 1979.

Ming worked at Bell Labs for 29 years as a Distinguished Member of Technical Staff. Throughout his telecommunications career, Ming contributed to exciting projects such as digital terminal research and design, variable lenses and coatings, and signal transmission. In 1997, he retired from Bell Labs and went to work for Lucent Technologies in its Education Center. In this role, Ming’s commitment to teaching truly blossomed, even catalyzing him to self-publish several books: Understanding Telecommunications, Understanding SONET/SDH, and Understanding Wireless. His mental capacity knew no bounds as he also authored a guide on how to play bridge, which was one of his favorite pastimes.

During his five years at Lucent, Ming had the opportunity to travel the globe as his reach expanded to professional students around the world. Joann accompanied him on much of this international travel. Reflective of his growing devotion to education, Ming also became an Adjunct Professor at Farleigh Dickinson University. Upon retirement from the corporate world in 2002, he decided to make his passion his profession by pursuing teaching full-time and became a New Jersey certified math teacher.

After teaching one year at South Plainfield High School, Ming transferred to Hunterdon Central Regional High School (HCRHS). This prompted Ming and Joann to relocate to Flemington, NJ in 2004. During his 14 years at HCRHS, he taught various advanced math classes including calculus, which fondly became known as “Chowculus” by his students. His unique ability to truly and genuinely connect with others became legendary. Ming would hold office hours and complimentary tutoring for his students, feeding not only their minds but also their bodies with Chinese dumplings and noodles, candies, and a wide array of snacks.

Ming’s compassion for people was not limited to his family and students. His colleagues also benefited from his generous heart and amazing mind. In his spare time at HCRHS, he was known to speedwalk the hallways and water and weed the school gardens. At 80 years young, he was one of the oldest teachers in the school system. Limited not by his mind, but by his aging body, he reluctantly retired from teaching in 2017.

In 2018, Ming and Joann moved to Dallas, Texas, to be closer to family, joining the wonderful community at Highland Springs. Over the past six years, Ming became known for his expertise in bridge, playing five times a week with his many new friends. He would often be seen walking the hallways and across property grounds, getting his daily exercise and doses of Vitamin D. His ability to build relationships by taking a heart-first approach enabled him to connect with all whom he encountered.

Ming’s determination, strength, and courage were admired by many. In recovering from both aggressive prostate cancer in 2007 and sepsis in 2020, he did much more than just survive – he thrived, which is what he would want each one of us to do. He will be remembered for his gentle spirit, character, kindness, caring, grace, brilliance, teaching prowess, bridge skills, and deep love for family. He saw potential in everyone, and his calling was to help bring out the best in others. The positive impact he has had on countless people across generations is profound. Simply put, he made the world a better place. His incredible legacy will be carried on through his beloved children and grandchildren as well as the many people he touched. His presence will be sorely missed but forever cherished by all who loved him.

He was preceded in death by his parents and younger brothers, Ming-Hou and Ming-Ji. He is survived by his loving wife, Joann; his daughter, Anne Chow and her husband Bob Moore; his son, Daniel Chow and his wife Martha Taylor; and his four grandchildren, Alana Moore, Jacob Chow, Ava Chow, and Camryn Moore.

The Celebration of Life Open House will take place on January 29th, 2025 from 11am- 1pm, located at Highland Springs, Chisholm Living Room (2nd Floor), 8000 Frankford Road, Dallas, Texas 75252