Wen Chian Lin

Everyone’s life is the sum total of all of the people they have met, the things they have done, the places they have gone. Wen Chian Lin was no exception. He was a loved one, a friend, and someone special. To family and friends who knew him best, Wen will be remembered as a very exceptional person.

Wen’s life journey began on August 30, 1939. He first greeted the world in Taoyuan, Taiwan. His parents' names were Chin-Chih Lin and Yeh Chao. They were very kind and generous people. His father always liked to cook any fish that he caught. Growing up for Wen was an involving experience. It allowed him to learn and grow and create all kinds of memories.

A lot of what shaped Wen’s life was how he was raised. He was raised with two brothers and seven sisters. He was second of ten children. He was the oldest son. He took very good care of his siblings. They were very poor growing up so when there was not a lot of food available, he would make sure everyone else ate before he did. One thing that his sisters remembered about Wen is that he was clearly a big brother to them. He would come visit them to make sure they were good after he left for college. In addition, when one of his sisters first moved to Minnesota almost thirty years ago to be with him and his family, she did not want to be there, Wen ensured that she went to her University classes and got used to the American life style. She still lives in Minnesota to this day. Wen was usually involved in all sorts of activities with his siblings. He and his siblings experienced the typical rivalries of a growing family, but they shared many life experiences over the years.

As a young boy, Wen had a number of interests. He was curious about the world around him and was often eager to explore it. Wen was raised on a farm in the countryside. He lived there until he left for college in Taipei. He was interested in painting and drawing pictures. Reading was often a favorite pastime for him. He had a fascination with books pertaining to Chinese Kung Fu stories (similar to Crouching Tiger Hidden Dragon).

In school, Wen learned many things and made many friends. Wen managed to accomplish many things as a child, both in and out of the classroom. One of Wen's biggest accomplishments during this time was being an honor student because he was a very smart boy. He was more advanced in his studies compared to everyone else in his class. However, to Wen, the most fun to be had was simply playing and spending time with his family and friends. Due to the size of the family, the family didn't take vacations because they weren’t financially capable to travel. In all, Wen grew up surrounded by family and friends who cared about him very much.

Many things change when a person becomes old enough to go to high school; Wen was no different. He was a typical teenager who had a fairly happy high school experience, making that critical transition from adolescence to adulthood. He graduated from Taoyuan High School in 1957. Math was his favorite, but he also studied history and geography. Wen tried to be involved in a number of different activities, both in and out of school, during these years. He enjoyed running, especially long distances.

The teen years weren’t only about school, though. He had a lot of responsibilities at home when he was in high school. In the mornings, he had to work the rice fields and clear out weeds. After school, he would come home and go do his school work. When there was not enough light outside, he would use oil lamps to continue his studies, as there was no electricity on the farm. When Wen and his friends got together, they would play games and enjoy outdoor activities.

After high school, the next big step in a person’s life is heading off to college. How someone reacts to the freedom and responsibility shows a great deal about their character and the person they will become. Wen enjoyed his college years. Though it was a challenge with all of the academics, responsibilities, and the sudden freedom that accompanied it, he was able to manage the balancing act. He attended college at Taiwan Normal University in Taipei, Taiwan, where he got his Bachelor's in History and Geography. He then attended The University of Alberta receiving a Master's in Geography. He went on to The University of Kansas, and got his Ph. D. In Meteorology. College allows a person to become more focused in their studies, but also opens up whole new horizons for one to explore. Though awards weren’t the reason he worked hard in college, Wen was recognized for his efforts. Wen received a full scholarship to attend the University of Alberta, which is what brought him to North America.

Like in high school, college was more than just going to classes and learning. Education went beyond the classroom. He enjoyed the food in Taipei near his University, as there were many good beef noodle stands to choose from.

He shared this time of his life with a number of people, some of whom would eventually become very close friends. He always kept in touch with his close friends from college. He would visit them in Chicago, California and Taiwan.

Falling in love is a huge milestone for any person. Just knowing that you have met that special someone is a magical feeling. Wen experienced that with Sue-Mei Chang. They met through mutual friends in Lawrence, Kansas. They were both getting their graduate degrees in Lawrence.

Wen exchanged wedding vows with Sylvia on September 1, 1973. It was a small church wedding in Lawrence, Kansas. Angel Kao was the maid of honor. Arthur Kao was the best man.

After the wedding, the couple enjoyed their first few days together as husband and wife during their honeymoon. Wen liked to travel. They took a road trip along the west part of the United States. They first went to the Grand Canyon and then went to Los Angeles, San Diego, and the Four Corners.

Empathic and loyal, Wen was committed to making his new family happy. It is true that during those early years the couple lived modestly, but they were happy nonetheless. They bought their first house in New Brighton, Minnesota, a suburb of the Twin Cities.

It can be said that you can tell a lot about a person by their friends. Wen and Sylvia had a number of good friends; however, they had too many friends to list. So it's little wonder that he took an active role in his neighborhood and community. Wen was always involved with promoting independence for Taiwan. He was involved in the Taiwanese Association of the Twin Cities, and he also liked to play tennis.

While everything a person does in life contributes to who they grow into, it is ultimately this same person who holds the most influence on the next generation. Wen worked hard to be a good father to his children and he did his best to fulfill their needs. Wen was blessed with two children, Cindy Joy Lin and Joseph Chris Lin. He worked hard toward raising his children in a positive and nurturing environment. Their house was big enough to fit the kids, parents and paternal grandparents. The backyard was very big and it took a long time to mow the lawn. There were railroad tracks in the backyard, but the tracks were rarely used.

Wen enjoyed traveling and time away on vacations. It was a chance for him to renew and relax, to visit new places and experience new things. Because Wen worked for Northwest Airlines, plane trips were very inexpensive. Thus, the family traveled all over the world. Some places that they went to included England, Spain, Greece, Turkey, Australia and Russia.

How a person performs in the workplace can be a reflection on how they live their life. Fortunately, Wen enjoyed what he did for a living. Showing a strong work ethic, Wen worked diligently and did his best to succeed in each of his jobs. While he worked several jobs over his life, Wen’s primary occupation was working as a Systems Analyst at Northwest Airlines. He also had been a high school teacher in Taiwan. Probably the most unique or interesting job Wen ever held was when he was working for Interpoll Laboratories, an air pollution company, where he had to climb various chimneys to collect air samples.

Wen always sought to be a team player, doing what was necessary in order to get the job done. On the job, he met many friends through work and he loved every one of them.

A person's hobbies often mirror who they have become. Wen enjoyed his leisure time by taking part in a number of different activities, including tennis, fishing, financial planning and traveling. Wen's favorite colors were red and green.

When it came to entertainment, Wen enjoyed a number of different things. Wen's favorite television shows included, “Little House on the Prairie" and "Three's Company." He also enjoyed good food and drink, such as all types of Chinese food. He also liked Clam Chowder and Rice Wine.

Wen enjoyed sports and athletics. He liked all professional teams from Minnesota, including the Vikings, Twins and Timberwolves.

Wen’s retirement finally arrived in 2001. He moved to Las Vegas, NV in 2003 to the Summerlin community. The house larger than the one in Minnesota, but with a considerably smaller backyard. He was a fan of the casinos and made sure that he maximized his comps whenever he played.

Wen was active in his new community and felt fulfilled with the opportunities retirement offered him. He was involved in the Taiwanese Associations in Las Vegas and the Tzu Chi Foundation.

Wen Chian Lin left us on April 28, 2011. He passed away at the Summerlin Hospital in Las Vegas, Nevada. He was 71. The cause of death was complications to the heart, kidneys and diabetes. He was preceded in death by his Father, Mother and two sisters. He is survived by his wife, daughter and son. Services were handled by Palm Mortuary. Wen was laid to rest at Palm Mortuary Northwest, North Las Vegas, Nevada.

So this is Wen’s life, the sum of the man that he became. Simply stated, Wen was a good and kind person, an individual who will for all time be remembered by his family and friends as being caring and giving, someone who was a vital part of their lives. Wen leaves behind him a legacy of lifelong friendships and many cherished memories. Everyone whose life Wen Chian Lin touched will always remember him with a smile.

Arrangements under the direction of Palm South Jones Mortuary, Las Vegas, NV.