Philip Minkang Chen

Phil was born in Chungking, China, on October 20, 1944, to the late Yin C. and Wansu Chen. He and his family came to the United States in 1949 when his father was sent to Washington, DC as a diplomat. Once here, the Communist takeover occurred, and his family became refugees. Growing up in Washington, DC during the 1950s and 1960s, Phil learned both the pains and triumphs of American society at a crucial turning point. At that time, Washington, DC stood at the crossroads of southern institutionalized racism and northern false hope; a point not lost on the young Chinese immigrant.

Phil graduated from Wilson High School in Washington, DC, and received a Bachelor of Mechanical Engineering with Distinction from the University of Virginia, a Master of Science from Stanford University, and a Juris Doctor from the University of Minnesota. He began his career as an ocean research engineer, and served as an environmental engineer, trial and public securities attorney, an investment banker, corporate executive, a private equity manager in Africa, and a strategic consultant. He held a U.S. patent for an underwater mooring system. In addition, he wrote a science fiction novel and wrote and illustrated several cartoon books. A mentor once told him that it wasn't that he couldn't hold down a job, he couldn't hold down a career!

He was a member of the American Bar Association, the American Society of Mechanical Engineers, the American Academy of Environmental Engineers, the University of Virginia Alumni Association, and Phi Sigma Kappa fraternity.

Phil met his wife, Nancy in 1968, and dated for a year. They went their separate ways, married and had families. In 2014, after searching for Nancy over the years, they reunited and were married in 2017.

Phil is survived by his wife, Nancy McLaughlin Chen, of Lancaster, PA, his son Martin, of New York, NY, his daughter Emily Chen-Bendle (Neil Bendle), of Watkinsville, GA, three granddaughters, Maura and Pippa Bendle, of Watkinsville, GA and Pearl Chen, of New York, NY. He is also survived by two stepdaughters, Meghan Mettler (Matthew), of Kansas City, MO, and Tonya Landfair (Adam), of Renton, WA, grandchildren Peter and Allison Mettler, of Kansas City, MO, and Olivia Landfair, of Renton, WA, sister, Min Lin, and brother Melvin Chen.

He was predeceased by brothers Frank and David Chen.

He loved his family dearly.

At Phil's request, there will be no memorial service.

Memorial contributions may be made in his name to Mennonite Disaster Service or a charity of your choice.