Kuo Chun Chen

He attended the private Fuzhou Elementary and Middle School and graduated from Ge-Zi High School.  He left home at a young age for Taiwan during the Chinese Revolution in 1949 and later graduated from National Taiwan University.

He immigrated to the United States in 1957, initially exploring studies in botany.  In 1959, he matriculated at Columbia University to study for a doctorate in Genetics and obtained his Ph.D. in 1963. Subsequently, he moved to Michigan, became Professor at Wayne State University in Detroit and began conducting research in molecular genetics.

There he conducted many years of NIH-funded research on the effects of microwave radiation on mammalian cells. From 1978 to 1979, he was awarded a Fulbright Scholar and was invited to Cambridge University as a visiting professor.

In the 1980’s, he often served as a visiting professor, and was invited to present his work at Peking University, Tianjin Nankai University, Shanghai Fudan University, Zhejiang University, Xiamen University and others, making important contributions to his native country.  As well, he traveled to Russia, Germany, France, England and other countries to give scientific presentations.  In 1986, he was invited back to be a visiting professor at his alma mater, National Taiwan University School of Medicine.  After a productive and satisfying career, he retired and moved to California with his wife to enjoy retirement in 2014.

Professor Chen was a loving and devoted husband and father.  He enjoyed his family and friends, discussing history and politics, classical music especially Mozart and Chopin, traveling, Chinese art and calligraphy, eating delicious food and wine, celebrations, dancing, nature and flowers. He was very proud of his children and adored his grandchildren, lighting up whenever they were around him. Most of all, he loved being in the midst of the hustle and bustle of his entire family.  He was particularly appreciative of his loving and devoted wife, was spoiled by her delicious cooking, and lived a full and meaningful life which he enjoyed immensely.

Professor Kuo Chun Chen was preceded in death by his first wife Joanna Wai Chen, and is survived by his wife, Christine Gu Chen, his children Sanford Chen (Lily), June Chen, Theodore Chen (Carol), Vivian Woo (Eugene) and Grandchildren Elise, Carter, Landon, Darren, Kyla, and Morgan Chen.

His family will hold a small, private service for close family in his honor.

He will be laid to rest in Pacific View Memorial Park, Corona del Mar, CA.

Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.pacificviewcalifornia.com for the Chen family.