Chao Hwang Su

CH was born March 22, 1941, in Gorontalo, Indonesia. As a youth, he had a talent for mischief and a love of things mechanical. So much so, that he left home to pursue a more focused education in technical high school. In the face of growing communist sympathy and Indonesian nationalism, he and his family escaped to Taiwan in 1960. There, he earned his undergraduate degree in engineering. But he had grander dreams for his future.

CH traveled to the United States in 1965. He spent a summer in New York City, working to fund his education. More importantly, he found his life partner, and they wed in 1967. He earned a masters in mechanical engineering from Oklahoma State University, subsequently earned a doctorate in fluid mechanics from the University of Houston, and worked as a mechanical engineer for a number of firms before building a career with Dow Chemical.

Over the years, CH pursued varied diverse activities. He was an avid photographer, cyclist, and outdoorsman. He was devoted to his family, with two weeks each summer dedicated to a family vacation (the Rocky Mountains were a favorite). But more than anything, he was a devoted Christian, spending many hours studying Scripture and Biblical commentary, doing his best to walk in the path of Christ. Sundays were dedicated to church, rest – and ABC’s Wide World of Sports.

Those who passed ahead of him include his brothers Samuel and Paul, as well as his parents. He is survived by his wife, Margaret; his son John and his family (his wife Meg, and their children Olivia and Donovan); his elder brother Steven and his family (his wife Becky, their daughter Tiffany, and her family (her husband Hui and their son Pierce)); his elder sister Mary and her family (her husband Simon, their daughter Susan, and her family (her husband Budi and their children Samuel and Kristina)), and countless other family and friends.

The family thanks the staff at St. Luke’s Health – Sugar Land Hospital (especially in the Intensive Care Unit) and Gentiva Hospice, all of whom partnered with the family to ensure CH’s last days were spent with dignity, and surrounded by loved ones. He was the driver of his destiny to the very end, and spent his final hours in peace, and in comfort.

Family and friends are invited to attend visitation with the family at the Chapel of Eternal Rest at 2454 South Dairy Ashford Road in Houston, TX 77077 on May 27, 2025 from 5 to 8 p.m. The funeral will be held on May 28, 2025 at 10 a.m. at the same location, with interment to follow.

CH firmly believed in God’s grace, and would not want anyone to grieve his passing. He lived a long, adventurous, and well-spent life, and now watches over us from Heaven – and is encouraging everyone to get out there and enjoy life. May we all live fully, helping our fellow person, and enjoying the goodness that is God’s creation.