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Sungman Cha Obituary
A Professor Emeritus at Brown University, Dr. Cha was the Chairman of the Department of Biochemical Pharmacology (currently the Department of Molecular Pharmacology, Physiology and Biotechnology) He received his Medical Doctorate from Yonsei University in Seoul, Korea and his PhD from the University of Wisconsin. He was a renowned expert in the field of cancer chemotherapeutics and tight-binding enzyme inhibitors, which are the basis of modern anti-retroviral therapy. He was a revered mentor not only to his own students, but to generations of Korean graduate students of all disciplines. He was a leader within the Korean community of Rhode Island.
He was the loving father of Jang-Ho Cha and his wife Janice Hayes-Cha of Arlington, MA, Mih-Ho Cha Neenan and her husband Thomas of Lexington, MA, and Jih-Ho Cha Donovan and her husband Michael of Wayland, MA. Cherished grandfather of Prescott, Drew and Owen Donovan and Leo Sang-Won, Joan Sang-Ah, John Sang-Bu and Denis Sang-Jo Cha. Caring brother of Gil-nam Cha of North Korea.
Dr. Cha's Funeral Service will be held Tuesday at 10:00 am in the First Unitarian Church, Benevolent Street, Providence (**on-street parking limited; parking avail in Brown University visitor parking lot at Brooke & Power Sts, lower level entrance on Brooke**). Burial will follow in Swan Point Cemetery, Providence. Relatives and friends are invited and may call Monday 4-7 pm in THE URQUHART-MURPHY FUNERAL HOME, 800 Greenwich Avenue, Route 5, Warwick (Exit 12A on I-95). www.murphyfuneralhomes.org
In lieu of flowers, donations in memory of Professor Sungman Cha may be sent to the Department of MPPB @ Brown University, Gift Cashier Office, Box 1877, Providence, RI 02912
To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.
Memories and Condolences
for Sungman Cha
Alan Agins
August 3, 2023
Everything I wrote back in 2008 still holds true today . . . Sungman was an awesome friend, colleague, mentor, human being!
Moira Kriete
August 27, 2008
So sorry to hear of the passing of Dr. Cha. My father, sister, and I enjoyed our conversations at Steere House with you, your daughter and son-in-law and we always looked forward to seeing you there. Our sincerest condolences.
Warm regards,
Moira
Daughter of John Baird
Rm 204 at Steere House
Nancy Gelardi
August 11, 2008
To Chung-Ja and the Cha Family,
I want to offer my condolences at the passing of your father and beloved husband. My memories of Sungman are of a kind, gentle, soft spoken man of science. It was a privilege and a pleasure to have known him. To Chung-Ja, my prayers are with you at this difficult time.
With sympathy,
Alan P. Agins, Ph.D.
August 11, 2008
Simply stated, I am beyond heart broken. It has, indeed, been a year of loss and sadness for the “Old Guard” of the Brown Pharmacology Department.
Sungman was the person who interviewed me as a nervous new PhD and hired me on as a postdoc 25 years ago - an action that helped launch my career, gave me the privilege to befriend the most wonderful colleagues and helped to form my personal and professional philosophies. He was a great mentor. One of the most valuable lessons I learned from Sungman had to do with "picking ones battles wisely". He told me that the world of medical research was actually rather small . . . and that by winning a minor skirmish (over egos) one could set themselves up for losses later in their career. Of course, in Sungman's verbal shorthand, it was simply "You win this, you lose later". Simple, to the point and still talking to me some 24 years later.
Over those years Sungman moved from being a wonderful mentor to being a great friend. A little known fact, Sungman was the most even-tempered and consistent golfer I have ever played with. We probably played a dozen or so times over the course of three or four years. And every time, and I mean every time, he'd shoot 55 for nine holes. Always 55. Tiger Woods, albeit a better golfer, isn't even that consistent.
At any rate, I will miss Sungman’s wit, his smile and the sly glint in his eye that always let me know he knew and felt far more than he spoke! I have attached two of my favorite pictures to share . . . .
My sympathies go out to Chung-Ja and the entire Cha family.
With sympathy and sadness,
Alan
Peter Oates
August 11, 2008
Dr. Cha was a Great spirit and master teacher. He will be missed, but his equations will persist on this level for all to see and use. It was an honor to have known him and a pleasure to have met him.
I feel particularly lucky to be confident that we will meet him again. Please extend my heartfelt symphthy to his family and friends for their loss. Many blessings on Dr. Sungman Cha!
Peter Oates
John Arcaro
August 10, 2008
Dear Jang-Ho, Mih-Ho, and Jih-Ho,
I'm very sorry to see this news. Please take care of your Mom, and find comfort in the wonderful memories of your Dad.
God bless you,
John Arcaro (from Rhode Island Avenue and Classical H.S.)
Maureen Hayes
August 10, 2008
To the Cha Family,
I am so sorry for your loss. Dr. Cha was such a kind, gentle soul. He was not only a loving father and husband, but a true patriarch, setting an example of courage, strength, industriousness, loyalty and love for his grandchildren that will surely continue for generations to come. I wish you all much comfort and love during this difficult time.
Love,
Maureen Hayes
Denise Trimble RNC, DNS Steere House
August 10, 2008
My thoughts and prayers are with you in your time of grief. May your memories bring you comfort.
Lucy Ghoda
August 9, 2008
To the Cha family:
I will always remember Sungman - his profile as he walked down the hall of the 4th floor Pharmacology Department - pondering, no doubt, more complex theories on his favorite topic, tight-binding inhibitors. His contributions to the concepts of pharmacokinetics are foundational but more than anything, I will miss his intellect, mentoring, kindness, sense of humor and stories. What a classy man he was. I still recollect that he took the time out to take us to lunch when my father was visiting in Providence.
I will miss him.
My deepest sympathies to all of you in his family.
Warm regards,
Lucy
Lucy Ghoda, Ph.D.
The Webb-Waring Institute and the University of Colorado School of Medicine
[email protected]
[email protected]
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