Yong Chan Cho

      “Anything is possible.” That is what Yong Chan Cho believed about life. He was a creative man, a perpetual inventor, who seemed to be able to find a solution for any difficulty confronting him. He had faith in his ability to find those solutions. Yong thoroughly enjoyed understanding how things worked. He possessed an inquisitive, confident, and rational nature matched with a versatile and agile mind. Yong was a person who believed that he could achieve whatever he set out to do.

      Yong was born on November 4, 1948 at at Home in Seoul, Republic of Korea. His parents were Kae Nahm Cho and Kap Sun Kang. Yong was raised in Seoul. He showed his ingenuity even as a child. When he was confronted with a problem, Yong could develop an imaginative solution, and he derived satisfaction from knowing he had that ability.

      This same talent for finding solutions had a positive bearing on Yong's family relationships. He had six sisters, Yong Ja, Yong Hee, Yung Suk, Yong Sun, Yong Ae, and Yong Ju. When a difficult situation or dilemma arose within the family, Yong was always there to help figure out a solution for making things work.

      As a young boy, Yong could be found building and inventing new and different things. He was curious, resourceful and interested in anything original. Yong took part in soccer, volleyball, and baseball. He was an active member in his church. In his spare time he liked singing, being outdoors, and fishing.

      Endowed with an appetite for knowing how his world worked, Yong enjoyed school, especially when the learning experience involved dissecting and probing the unknown. Yong was adept at scrutinizing different possibilities and designing innovative solutions. He graduated from Mu Puhn Junior School. He enjoyed some courses more than others, having favorite classes and teachers. His favorite class in junior school was physical education. The teacher he enjoyed learning from the most was Mr. Kim.

      Yong was socially resourceful, an expressive person who was willing to try new things. These qualities drew a lively circle of friends around him. Always interested in his friends’ activities and interests, Yong was uncritical of his acquaintances. He was sought after by people who recognized that he was generous with his time and energy, and these same friends found Yong to be very stimulating company. Yong's humor and curiosity were contagious for those around him. While growing up, one of his best friends was Jin Hu. He made friends easily and was blessed with many friends during his lifetime.

      On September 11, 1973 Yong exchanged wedding vows with Chong Ae Kim at Seoul Ae Shik Jang. Of Soeul, South Korea. Yong was adept at devising original and creative ways to enhance and improve the marriage partnership. Yong was seldom a critical person, but rather the one who was able to bring out the best in others. Yong was an entertaining conversationalist who was quick to respond to his spouse’s needs. He was a vibrant personality and he enjoyed verbally sparring with Chong Ae. In fact, those who knew him often remarked that Yong loved to argue for argument’s sake. He was very perceptive in recognizing others’ feelings, especially regarding Chong Ae's.

      Yong's remarkable talent for being inventive influenced his relationship with his children. He would create original, clever and fun games for his kids and had a knack for finding ways to make everyday events, even chores, enjoyable to them. Yong was blessed with three daughters and a son., Mi Hyon, Mi Sun, and twins Susan and Tomi. They were also blessed with nine grandchildren., Cody, Mikayla, Michael, Meghan, Elizabeth, Lillian, Kaitlyn, Lydia, and Ray Anne. Someone who was quick to laugh, Yong found it easy to spend lots of time with his children, but he was never overbearing or guilty of pushing himself on them.

      As a born inventor, Yong was definitely in his element in his work place. He could easily create new and innovative systems, and incorporate those changes to bring a fresh approach to any work situation. Yong was a focused worker with a strong drive for achievement. He could assess all of the options before him and, using his analytical skills, could comfortably find answers that no one else had even considered. His personal initiative inspired those around him. Yong was always good at getting a project started and then, at the appropriate time, handing it on to a colleague. His primary occupation was an entrepeneur. He was employed as a contractor for the Atlanta Olympics. Yong always made an effort to be a team player, doing what needed was necessary in order to get the job done.

      Yong's passion for finding a better way to do things was often an end in itself for him. In fact, that interest by itself became something of a hobby for this perpetual problem solver. Since Yong was always searching for new and unusual activities, he developed many interests and leisure pursuits. Some of the things he became an “expert” in might come as a surprise to those who knew him, but most friends and family understood that Yong simply couldn’t be limited to just a few activities or ideas. His favorite pursuits were singing, fishing, camping, most things done outdoors, and watching Korean Dramas.

      Yong's calm demeanor and eternally positive outlook served him well in sports. In school, Yong played soccer, baseball, and ran track. Recreational sports included soccer, volleyball, baseball and softball. Yong was also something of a sports fan and enjoyed following his favorite events whenever he got the opportunity. Tops on his list were baseball and soccer.

      Yong's talents were well suited for being actively involved in professional and community organizations, something he did throughout his life. He enjoyed being involved and was willing to jump in and help out in most any situation. Yong could bring a breath of fresh air to any organization, simply by introducing his novel ideas and problem solving strategies. Throughout his later years, Yong was an active member of the his Church.

      Faith and religion were important to Yong. He was a member of the Korean Presbyterian Church for over 30 years. During that time, he was a Deacon in the church and a member of the Choir.

      Having the opportunity to visit and explore a new place always intrigued Yong. Traveling and going away on vacations offered yet another opportunity for Yong to expand his ever-growing inventory of knowledge. Yong loved to visit his family and friends in Seoul, South Korea.

      Even while in retirement, Yong never stopped exercising his inventive talents, and this new phase of his life provided new opportunities for stimulating his interests. In 2008, during his retirement he lived with Chong Ae in St. Louis, Missouri. In retirement, he found pleasure in his Church, watching Korean Dramas and spending time with his family. Even in retirement, Yong continued to stay in touch with his old friends and while making plenty of new acquaintances. He was active in the community and felt fulfilled.

      Yong passed away on January 17, 2013 at at the home of his daughter, Susan. Yong fought cancer valiantly for more than 5 years. He is survived by his wife, children, grandchildren and 5 sisters. Services were held at Kriegshauser West Mortuary, the Korean Presbyterian Church, and Susan's home. Yong was laid to rest in Bellerive Cemetery in Creve Coeur, Mo.

      During his lifetime, nothing appeared impossible to Yong. He met the words “it can’t be done” with the enthusiastic challenge of a “wanna bet” attitude. Yong was able to recognize the possibilities a new idea held, even when those around him could not. For Yong, the traditional way of doing things fell short of his expectations, especially if there were original and untested methods for handling a challenge. For Yong Chan Cho, the fun of living his life could be found in the challenge.