Shu Chien Yung

Shu-Chien Yung, 87, went peacefully in his sleep to be with his Lord on January 29, 2024. Beloved husband, father, grandfather, brother, uncle, and friend, Shu-Chien inspired, influenced, and helped the lives of many with his wisdom, humor, and energy.

Shu-Chien was born on December 15, 1936 in Chengdu, China to Yu Yung and Ching-Tir Ho. Yu was a general in the Nationalist Army, so they moved frequently during Shu-Chien’s childhood, eventually returning to the Yung family ancestral home in Guangdong. In 1949, fearing for their lives, the family fled China. Shu-Chien and his older brother went to Hong Kong alone and reunited with the rest of the family a year later in Taiwan.

Despite poverty and interrupted schooling, he was a passionate student who earned high grades and scholarships. He graduated from National Taiwan University in 1959, and after serving two requisite years in the military, worked at China Textile Company as an engineer. In 1963, he took a month-long journey by ship to study in the United States, and earned his master’s degree from the University Missouri-Rolla in 1965, followed by a PhD from the University of Illinois Chicago in 1973, both in mechanical engineering.

Shu-Chien met Shu-Shih Chu in Chicago; they married in 1967, and daughters Jane and Delphine were born there. He became a naturalized U.S. citizen in 1972. His father died in 1966, so Shu-Chien’s mother and siblings joined him in America. In 1973, Shu-Chien accepted a job at Curtiss-Wright and the family of four moved to East Rutherford, New Jersey. There, he committed his life to Christ.

In 1975, they moved to Richland, Washington, where daughter Irene was born. He spent the next 35 years there working at Westinghouse Hanford Company and Siemens Nuclear. On the side, he taught graduate-level engineering courses. Along with three other men, he started a fellowship that later became the Tri-Cities Chinese Christian and Missionary Alliance Church, which is flourishing today. He served for decades as chairman of the Co-workers Board, taught the New Believers class, and faithfully mopped the floors after Sunday potlucks. Because the church did not have a permanent building, Shu-Chien and Shu-Shih lovingly hosted and served the church in their home for Friday night prayer meetings and the annual Christmas Eve party.

He was tickled to time his retirement to Independence Day 1999. He and Shu-Shih moved to Issaquah, Washington in 2010 to be closer to their eight grandchildren. He enjoyed occasionally preaching at nearby True Light Christian Church. In 2020, he moved to assisted living in Newcastle, Washington.

Shu-Chien will be remembered for his love of scripture and bringing people to Christ, his intellectual curiosity, and entertaining storytelling.

At work, he was devoted to his after-lunch jog and nap, which he timed with an engineer’s precision. At age 55, he decided to learn downhill skiing by joining the company ski bus, and later took up violin lessons. At home, he practiced the principles of heat transfer, proud he could cool the house in the sweltering desert heat without air conditioning by meticulously moving insulated window reflectors throughout the day. He planted vegetable gardens and a peach tree that he watered by hand until it produced beautiful fruit. In his final years, he esteemed being served meals, likening the experience to being a king, especially compared to his youth when he suffered hunger and cooked and did laundry for his family. Shu-Chien was a devoted husband and father, praying on his knees each night for his family. He was proud of all his grandchildren, and told them often.

He is survived by his wife of 57 years Shu-Shih, daughters Jane, Delphine (Matt Frank), Irene (Doug Foreman), grandchildren Sophia Frank, Thalia Frank, Charlotte Dennie, Rachel Dennie, Luca Frank, Aleta Frank, Katherine Dennie, Sarah Dennie, brothers Samuel Yung, Shu-Ho Yung, Shu-Ping Yung, and sisters Grace Yang and Fuzu Moy, and cherished nephews and nieces. He was preceded in death by his brother Allen Yung.

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There was a private burial at Acacia Memorial Park in Seattle.

A memorial service and celebration of life will be held Saturday, April 27, 2024 at 10:30 a.m. at True Light Christian Church, which meets at Covenant Presbyterian Church, 22116 SE 51st Pl, Issaquah, WA 98029.