Lawrence Karsun Chu

Lawrence was born in Shanghai, the fifth of ten children. His family moved to Hong Kong in 1947. After graduating from La Salle College he did translation work for the film industry and also worked for the Hong Kong government about ten years. In 1970 he moved to New Jersey to join one of his brothers. He returned to school and learned skills in electronics technology. He worked in this area and also did troubleshooting work in military aircraft for the Harris Corporation. With his brother, Francis, he worked to support three younger brothers when they came to the U.S. to study. He also provided much assistance to his younger sister, Jennie, in coming to this country and establishing herself in a new environment. At age 30, while recovering from an illness, Lawrence prayed and obtained the assurance of salvation through faith in Christ. He took the call to discipleship seriously, sometimes preaching the gospel door-to-door with older Christian brothers. He joined a small church, where he became a board member and was elected chairman. He also helped lead his father to the Lord.

His life turned a major corner in the fall of 1983 when, through Jennie, he reconnected with Rita, whom he had first met in the late 1970s. Rita was attending graduate school in Kent, Ohio, and they began an interstate relationship, visiting each other whenever possible. They were married in 1984 and settled in New York City.

Rita’s parents were preparing to immigrate to America in 1985, and they desired very much for Rita and Lawrence to move to the west coast. It was not easy for Lawrence to uproot himself, but he unselfishly agreed. He told Rita that he no longer had opportunities to be with his parents since they had passed away, whereas she still had her father and mother, and he supported moving closer to them. Shortly after relocating to San Francisco, they found out they were expecting. Their joy was doubled when they learned they were having twins!

Lawrence diligently cared for Rita during her difficult pregnancy, as she was confined to bed rest for the last trimester. Elizabeth and Stephanie were born in August 1986. Parenthood was both exhilarating and exhausting for them, with the twins needing medical care for allergies and other childhood ailments. They decided the Puget Sound region would be the best place to raise their family, where the kids could be close to their grandparents, and came to Seattle in 1987. Given his young family’s needs, Lawrence decided to become a real estate agent to allow for flexible scheduling. As his daughters grew older, and Rita’s visual impairment grew worse, the prudence of his career choice became more apparent. He always made himself available for whatever needs they had.

Lawrence had a true servant’s heart, never complaining, even after he began to have bouts of vertigo last year. It was a financial sacrifice to send their daughters to a private Christian middle school, but Lawrence worked hard to make sure they received the best education. He regularly drove Rita to her Bible study groups and activities and patiently waited for her in the car before taking walks and having lunch together. He attentively performed chores, home maintenance, and many other duties. Lawrence was eager to spread the good news of Christ’s salvation to others and shared with his neighbors. He was very proud of Liz, a research biologist, and Stephanie, a CPA.

On Sunday, February 19, Lawrence and Rita enjoyed a pleasant day together, starting with worshiping the Lord at church. They chatted with friends, then went to a mall to walk and eat. On the way back Lawrence noted the engine was making noises. When they arrived home, he decided to check it out. Somehow, he slipped under the car, and passed away from the injury. While Lawrence was called home to be with his Savior unexpectedly, his legacy of kindness and gentleness lives on in his family. Though not expressive through words, Lawrence displayed selflessness and devotion that is rare and refreshing in an individualistic society. He exemplified the character of a genuine, loyal, and faithful husband and father, always looking out for his family’s needs. Lawrence will be greatly missed, but we know we will be reunited someday when death will be no more, and He will wipe away our tears. We await that day of our Lord Jesus’ return, when we will appear together before Him in glory.