Chung-Ho Wong

Chung-Ho (Chung) Wong departed from this world on January 16, 2021 after 87 adventurous and fun years of living larger than life. He passed peacefully in his sleep after spending time with his soul mate, Marylyn Wong.

Born in Hong Kong on Feb 25, 1933, Chung-Ho was the 10th of 11 children and the last surviving child to Wong Tong and Wong Oi Kwan. Being born during the Great Depression and raised during World War II influenced Chung’s formative years resulting in a lifetime of frugality, saving and researching the most practical purchase.

At the age of 19, Chung left his family in Hong Kong to pursue his education in the United States. Knowing little English, he boarded the USS Princes and immigrated to New York City where he attended the City College of New York (CCNY) to study Electrical Engineering. Chung had an admirable work ethic where he studied during the day and worked as a waiter during the evening (going by the name Andre). His non-stop energy carried on throughout his life where he regularly worked many jobs and pursued many hobbies. While working at a Chinese restaurant, Chung caught the attention of business men dinning for lunch where they were struggling to solve a mathematical equation. Chung’s proclivity for problem solving immediately noticed the equation they were working was missing a square root. After impressing the business men with his knowledge, Chung was offered an opportunity to join an Engineering Company on the West Coast.

Chung moved to Newport Beach, California to start his Electrical Engineering career at Hughes Aircraft in the 60’s. His social life flourished as a result of his charismatic personality, where he established many life-long friendships. Chung loved work and continued on with his many hobbies including photography, regularly process photographs out of his bathroom. Chung loved taking photos, many photos taken of Chung captured him with the camera hanging from around his neck. Chung eventually started professional photography on the weekends, shooting portraits and weddings throughout Orange County.

Chung eventually settled down with Marylyn in the early 1970’s. The two worked at Hughes together and met at a volleyball game. Chung’s dark features and small stature, paired with Marylyn’s light complexion, red hair and tall stature, made them an interesting pair. Chung’s family instantly grew since Marylyn had 4 grown children of her own; Mark, Leslie, Kevin and Kelly. At the age of 45, Chung had his first daughter, Jennifer. Melissa came along 22 months later. The family enjoyed many activities together from skiing, fishing, camping, cruise ships, road trips and international adventures. His love for life, travel and hard work was engrained into Jennifer and Melissa who continue his legacy.

Chung-Ho’s esteemed career led him to support a number of high visibility programs across Hughes, Rockwell and The Boeing Company. Chung was considered a Subject Matter Expert in electrical engineering. He worked on high visibility programs including the Space Shuttle Orbiter, GPS satellite, PAC-3 missiles and many more. Chung worked in the Electrical Parts, Materials, and Processes (PM&P) Team as a Failure Analysis expert. In addition, he also supported a training program to develop engineers that are early in their career; this program is still in use today. Chung was one of the last engineers to turn-off the lights to the Shuttle Orbiter Program prior to its de-commission where its shuttle was eventually moved to a museum.

During Chung’s retirement (although he never stopped working since he did contracting work for many more years), he focused on his love of photography, art, movies, music, gardening, magic (yes - he was also a magician), domestic and international travel. Chung spent a number of years enjoying time with his grandson, Spencer, as he regularly watched over him. Although aging physically slowed him down, his mind was always operating at a fast pace; he continued to love life, had a desire for continuous learning and a voracious appetite for good food. Dim Sum and visits to Sam Woo Restaurant were regularly family events.

Chung-Ho is now at peace in heaven with the rest of his family and friends looking out for those of us who remain as our guardian angel. He will be missed, but a man as unique and charismatic as he will never be forgotten.

Due to the environment, the family has chosen to do a small private ceremony carrying out his last wishes on 27 Feb. In lieu of flowers please provide a unique or funny memory of Chung-Ho Wong.