K. T. passed away in August 2018, age 96, in Oakland, California, after a year-long struggle with bladder cancer. His children Tim, Julie, and Gray were at his side. He is survived by his children, their spouses, six grandchildren, one great-grandchild on the way, his sister Anne, and many nephews and nieces and their spouses and children.
There was no funeral or memorial service. However, a "celebration of life" event was held at Julie's house on September 29, attended by friends and relatives from near and far.
K. T. was born and raised in China. After serving as a flight dispatcher for the Flying Tigers in India for the "over the Hump" China supply effort during World War II, he immigrated to the United States, where he earned an MS degree in Structural Engineering at Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute, an MS degree in Aeronautical Engineering at the University of Washington, and a PhD in Engineering Mechanics from Stanford University.
After a decades-long career as an engineer and later a sales representative with the Garrett AiResearch Corporation in Los Angeles, Kyoto, and Beijing, he retired and settled in Manhattan Beach and then Saratoga, California. He spent his last year at the Sunrise of Oakland Hills residence in Oakland, California, where he received daily visits from his daughter Julie.
©2018 K. T. Chang. All rights reserved.