Kenneth Kendall Chew

Ken ( 趙晋德 ) was the 6th of 7 children born at the Chew residence in Red Bluff, CA. Ken’s father Dick Chew immigrated to the United States in 1916 from 台山縣 浮石村 Fow Shek (or Fushi) Village, Doushan Town, Taishan City, Guangdong Province, eventually bringing his wife, Chin See Chew in 1923.

To see their story: History — Helen & Joe Chew Foundation (redbluffchew.org/chewhistory)

In 1921 the family operated the California Café. In 1947, the Chew residence would be the last building demolished in Red Bluff’s Chinatown forcing the family to relocate and open the Ming Terrace restaurant where they lived upstairs. All of Ken’s grandkids fondly remember grandpa telling the stories of his early childhood. Playing by the river, helping where he could in the restaurant and chasing chickens around the farm. Usually having to catch one to be prepared for dinner… which included the proverbial running around with you know what cut off! He developed an early love and passion for the outdoors. Often spending his free time hunting and fishing which lead to youthful aspirations to become a Game Warden with California State Fish & Game.

After graduating from Red Bluff high school Ken “accidentally” enrolled in Chico State University when he accompanied a friend who was registering for classes. The counselor asked him “would you like to enroll?”. That simple act would set him on the path of a future he could not have imagined. He channeled his love for the outdoors, majoring in biology and graduating in 1955. Ken continued his studies expecting to work on salmon biology at the University of Washington in Seattle, WA. However, during his first summer in the Pacific Northwest, while working at the WA State Shellfish Laboratory at Pt. Whitney (Hood Canal) the researchers there convinced him that there was a need for Molluscan research.

In the Winter of 1957, Ken met the love of his life at a social club gathering at the UW where she was an undergraduate earning her teaching degree. In the spring of 1958, May (aka Maegan) and Ken were married at St. John’s Evangelical Lutheran Church in Seattle.  Ken was awarded his PhD in June 1962 and accepted a position with the UW College of Fisheries (now known as School of Aquatic and Fisheries Science).  

In 1972, with full professorship Ken continued to do research and teach for a total of thirty-six years, supervising and graduating close to one hundred MS and PhD students. Teaching and maintaining a close rapport with students had been an important part of Ken’s life and he inspired many students to continue their studies in molluscan biology.  In recognition of his outstanding teaching ability, he received the 1993 Distinguished Undergraduate Teaching Award from the College of Fisheries Sciences at the University of Washington.

Throughout his professional career, Ken maintained a close working relationship with the shellfish industry, particularly in the Pacific Northwest.  Much of his research and that of his graduate students focused on finding solutions to problems that would further the development of the industry.  The importance of the shellfish industry as an economic and sustainable force is in large part due to the efforts of Ken Chew and the students who work in the industry.

Ken was nationally and internationally recognized as an authority on the biology of shellfish and aquaculture (the planting, cultivating, and harvesting of shellfish for commerce). His professional credits are many: University of Washington Professor Emeritus, retired Director of the Western Regional Aquaculture Center, retired Associate Dean of the UW College of Ocean and Fishery Science. He also served as West Side Commissioner of Washington Department of State Fish & Wildlife.

In 2014, NOAA recognized his longstanding contributions to shellfish research and aquaculture, the contribution of his students who continue to advance this work, and the importance of efforts to restore shellfish in Puget Sound by announcing the Kenneth K. Chew Center for Shellfish Research and Restoration (established in partnership with the Puget Sound Restoration Fund), located in Manchester Bay, WA. The center provides the scientific expertise and specialized facilities to support the research and production of native oysters and other Pacific Northwest living marine resources.

Weblink: Announcing Kenneth K. Chew Center for Shellfish Research and Restoration | NOAA Fisheries

https://www.fisheries.noaa.gov/feature-story/announcing-kenneth-k-chew-center-shellfish-research-and-restoration

Through all his professional accomplishments, his true love and passion was the raising of his family. Of course, this required lots of activities outdoors - fishing, hunting, and camping. From building a cabin out at Lake Cushman, WA to family trips to the Washington and Oregon coasts, life was full. Involvement at Beacon Hill Church (aka Chinese Baptist Church, CBC) was also a central part of Ken and his family having developed deep roots and friendships into this faith community. Ken served in many roles at CBC including church Moderator, Administrator, Deacon, and a regular Sunday School teacher. Ken loved the CBC community and played a meaningful role in guiding and growing the church over the last 50+ years.

He made lasting friendships with many he met along the way. Often walking alongside to provide caring, trustworthy, and sound counsel. The love of the Lord Jesus Christ permeated from him. He simply wanted to brighten lives with a loving heart and kindness was his middle name.

Ken is preceded in death by his father Chew Pak Lan (Dick Chew) 趙公林 (1902-1971) and his mother, Chin See Chew (1902-1967), and siblings Julia Chew (1923-2014), Hazel Wong (1925-2021), Edward Chew (1926-1994), Janie Jung (1930-2019), James Chew (1931-2008), and Christopher Chew (1935-2019).

Ken is survived by his wife Maegan and his four children Curtis (Patti), Gerald (Joyce), Matthew (Aimee), Marcella Chew and eleven grandchildren.

In lieu of gifts, please consider a donation to:

• The Restoration Fund that is in partnership with the NOAA Manchester Research Facility:

Link: https://restorationfund.org/support/

• Ken’s UW Endowed Professorship:

Link: https://www.washington.edu/giving/make-a-gift/?source_typ=3&&source=CHEWAQ

Or, via mail, checks can be sent to:

University of Washington Foundation

Box 359505 Seattle, WA 98195

Donors should write the fund name (“Ken Chew Endowed Professorship”) or “CHEWAQ” (the fund’s allocation code) in the subject line.

• Beacon Hill Church

Link: https://www.beaconhillchurch.com/

The online obituary for Maegan Wong Chew can be found at https://www.dignitymemorial.com/obituaries/seattle-wa/may-chew-10974145

A memorial service for Kenneth and Maegan will begin at 11am on March 11th, 2023 at Beacon Hill Church (aka Chinese Baptist Church)

5801 Beacon Ave. S.

Seattle, WA 98108

https://www.beaconhillchurch.com/