Edwin Chew

1920 - 2016

Edwin Chew
Edwin "Ed" Chew was born August 15, 1920 in his family's farmhouse on the Sacramento Delta. He described his boyhood as idyllic, having a mynah bird who spoke Cantonese and a goat that he hitched to a cart to transport milk to sell to neighbors.

In his mid-teens, deaths and life circumstances left him alone and fending for himself in the grips of the Great Depression. He learned to scrimp, save, and scavenge to survive. Those years left an imprint on him that he carried the rest of his life. Upon graduating from high school he left for San Francisco.

Working odd jobs and often going hungry and sleepless, he put himself through SF City College and eventually the College of Physicians and Surgeons (now University of Pacific) Dental School where he graduated first in his class and was inducted into the Tau Kappa Omega Dental Honor Society. Later he served as president of the 19th District Dental Society.

After graduation, Ed married Marian (Fong) of Sacramento and moved to Marysville where he practiced dentistry for 36 years. During their 66-year marriage, they raised 4 children: Karen, Judith, Rollin "Corky" (Nancy), and Scott (deceased). They have one grandchild Bradley Scott Chew.

Ed's greatest pleasure was being outdoors. As a charter member of Peach Tree Country Club, he golfed until he was 90. He was an avid fisherman who tied his own flies. In keeping with his rural roots, he always maintained a vegetable garden saving seeds to grow year after year.

By his father's example, Ed learned the importance of giving back to the community. With Dr. Albert Attwell he co-curated the restoration of the Bok Kai Temple. He was a charter member of the Cripple Children's Society, past member of the Marysville Lions Club, and recognized as a contributor on the "Rideout Memorial Hospital Builder's Wall". He served on the Board of Directors of Camp Fire and the Yuba College Foundation. Because he strongly believed in the value of a good education, he and Marian established a scholarship in honor of their son Scott.

First and foremost he valued family and heritage. As the last survivor of 9 siblings, Ed was the patriarch of his family and affectionately known as "Uncle Eddie" to his nieces, nephews, their children and grandchildren, and regarded as a father-figure to others. Every year his extended family and friends gathered from all parts of the country to celebrate the gift of each birthday. He was very proud of his 95 years.

On March 20, 2016 after a long, extraordinary life, Ed slipped away peacefully at home surrounded by his wife and children. He will be remembered as resourceful, unassuming, and loving. He was a kind, gentle soul who will be dearly missed.

Honoring his wishes, there will be no services. Donations to the Scott Evan Chew Memorial Scholarship at Yuba College would be gratefully appreciated.

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