Paul Chung

Paul was born in Guangdong, China, the youngest of C.N. Chung and C. Yip's 11 children. His family fled to Hong Kong as refugees in 1950. Paul studied at Queen Elizabeth School, where he was active in the Boy Scouts and started his lifelong passion for the outdoors. He later graduated from the University of Hong Kong with a bachelor of science in engineering.

While in college, Paul met his future wife, Lena (née Chen). He eventually moved to the United States, where Lena graduated from college and started her career, to work as a civil engineer for Malcolm Pirnie, Inc., an engineering and consulting firm. Paul and Lena married in 1974 and settled in New Jersey, where their daughter, Jennifer, and son, Eric, were born.

In 1987, Paul joined Camp Dresser McKee, a leading engineering company and within a few years, he established and grew its Asia-Pacific practice. He led teams that designed and constructed water treatment plants across the region, including three water treatment works in Hong Kong. One project he was particularly proud of was the Ma On Shan facility, praised by U. S. Commerce Secretary William Daley as an example of "successful cooperation between the U.S. government and the Hong Kong government."

Paul, Lena, and Eric later moved to Hong Kong, fulfilling Paul's dream of being back in his cherished hometown, where he could see many of his relatives and enjoy all of his favorite foods.

He worked at CDM as a senior vice president until his retirement in 2009, and then traveled between Hong Kong and New York City for his new calling: grandfather—or "Ahgon" and "Yeye"—to native New Yorkers Katharine, Levi, and Riley, who brought him joy every day.

Paul remained curious, active, and most of all, happy—sharing his thoughts about current events, swimming laps daily, seeing his children flourish in their careers and personal lives, playing mah-jongg with friends, cruising around the world, being silly with his grandchildren, investigating interstellar travel and the existence of life outside of Earth, and having a quiet evening with Lena and a nice glass of wine.

In addition to wife Lena; daughter Jennifer (and husband Jay); son Eric (and wife Maryann); and grandchildren Katharine, Levi, and Riley, he is survived by his sister G.F. Tang of Hong Kong; his brother S.K. Chung of Los Angeles; and his sister G. Chow of Manchester, England.

He will be dearly missed by many. And as he loved to say: "See ya later, alligator."

Donations may be made in his name to Riverkeeper (riverkeeper.org), which advocates for improving the Hudson River and ensuring clean drinking water for New York City.