Menu
Search by Name
Search by Name
Christopher Chang Obituary
Chris was born in Thousand Oaks, California on March 23, 1969 and lived a life filled with numerous passions, adventure and immense love for his close family. He passed away very unexpectedly from a heart attack in Phoenix, Arizona on September 11, 2013 at the age of 44.
Chris is survived by his wife Sunnev, daughters Kaelyn (11), Liva (9) and Iselin (4), brother Jeff, sisters in law Leah and Ida, brother in law Lars, mother Joanne, father Muncel, mother in law Alice, father in law Svein, grandmothers Cecelia and Winifred, uncles Gordon, Theron, aunt Loye, nieces Sydney, Corrie and Faith, nephews Isak, Jeremy, Alex, Jacob and Jared and countless friends (his closest friend Eric Bowen in particular) and colleagues whose lives he touched and inspired through his infectious enthusiasm. Through his wife, Chris also had an extended family and network of friends in Norway who knew and loved him via annual visits over the past 20 years. Growing up in Southern California, Chris enjoyed skateboarding, BMX biking, surfing, camping and quickly developed an interest in computers and technology after getting his Apple II at the age of 9. After graduating from Taft High School in 1987, Chris started his career as an IT professional, which spanned a wide range of industries from wine making, restaurant development, furniture manufacturing, home loans, import/export and aerospace. For the past 8 1/2 years, Chris worked at Honeywell in Tempe Arizona; his last role was leading the Aerospace Infrastructure Architecture/HPC CoE team. Chris was a tremendously bright soul who leaves behind an incomprehensible void among his loved ones. Memorial service will be held at the Cornerstone Church (student building), 1595 S Alma School Road, Chandler on Wednesday September 18. Viewing will be at 10 am, and the service at 11 am. In lieu of flowers, donations to his daughters' educational fund can be made to BBVA/Compass Bank, acct # 6716517452. Routing # 122105744.
To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.
Memories and Condolences
for Christopher Chang
little bit tiny
November 20, 2024
Thinking of you today, i miss you
Bryan stubbs
December 25, 2022
I'm saddened to hear this news. I spent years with Chris in various business ventures. He was a brilliant mind, a soft and kind heart. We lived together in Napa and Long Beach. I learned a ton from you and you will be missed in this planet.
Dan
September 11, 2022
I was just telling my kids all the crazy things Chris and I would do when we were there age. Going to Wildwood park at 1:00 am, ridding our bikes everywhere, playing war, building crazy things. Those are memories I will never forget. You are truly missed my good friend. Love you. Dan
Lee Roy & Charlene Thompson
October 1, 2013
Our hearts are broken and go out to Sunnev, Kaelyn, Liva, Iselin, Jeff, Joanne, Muncel and all the extended family members who are experiencing this tragic loss of Chris. I have known Muncel and Joanne since the eighth grade and remember Chris and Jeff when they were cute little rug rats. As proud parents, they told us stories of their accomplishments,and families. We know Chris will be greatly missed, but he has left memories that will inspire the sun to shine in the rain. Looking forward to seeing him again in that better land. God bless and comfort you each one.
Ruth Kochoff
September 23, 2013
I'm so very sorry to hear of Chris's passing. What a terrible loss to anyone who knew Chris. My heart goes out to Joanne and Jeff, his mother and brother. You will be in my thoughts and prayers
Chris Shannon
September 23, 2013
Chris and I worked together while he was at Honeywell. I sold him technology products which spanned a couple years. He was an extremely bright, intense, and passionate guy. I enjoyed getting to know him, enjoyed some nice dinners and lunches, and strategy sessions on his requirements. I will miss working with him and am deeply sadend by this news. My prayers and thoughts go out to his family and close friends.
Dan Migale
September 21, 2013
May God bless you and your family in this time of sorrow.
September 20, 2013
To the Chang family, we are saddened to hear about Chris's sudden passing. We are forever grateful to live in the former home of the Chang family in Thousand Oaks. We send you our love! Chilcott Family
Daughter Mariko grew up at the former house of the Chang family in Thousand Oaks.
Anne Chilcott
September 20, 2013
Corinna White
September 20, 2013
The O'Rendy family is saddened by your loss and will keep the family in our thoughts and prayers.
September 19, 2013
I'm sorry, I didn't sign my name to my entry. Yvette du Beau
September 19, 2013
My heart goes out to the Chang Family and friends. Keeping you in my prayers and thoughts!
Lynne Blum - Thousand Oaks, CA
September 19, 2013
I'm so sorry to hear this news. He was a great guy and so bright. My thoughts and prayers go out to his family in this difficult time.
Rob Robinson and family
September 19, 2013
We were shocked and saddened to hear of Chris' passing. Our hearts and prayers go out to his family, to his father Muncel (our cherished friend and beloved teacher), his mother, his brother Jeff and his family, and to all who knew him.
Karla Rozum
September 19, 2013
This was such shocking and heart wrenching news, and such a deep loss to his beloved wife and children, his mom, extended family and everyone who knew him. My sincere and deepest condolences.
September 19, 2013
We are heartbroken at the news of Chris's passing. Our hearts go out to the entire Chang family and especially for our dear friend, his mother, Joanne. It is hard to accept to hear of the loss of a young person with a growing family and bright future.
Joyce and Helen Nenne
September 18, 2013
Chris,
You were an an honorable and amazing man and it was a privilege learning from you when you hired me as an assistant decades ago. You were always a kind, patient and gentle soul and will be missed by all.
My condolences to your family,
Carrie, Sothy, Sydney and Alexandra Yi
Ricky and Linda Miles
September 18, 2013
Our sympathy and love go out to the family, especially his mother Joanne.
Patt Taylor
September 18, 2013
My heart goes out to you all during this time of grief. My memories of Chris are when he was just a little guy. I could never look into his beautiful eyes and say no to just one more story. God Speed Christopher!
Marie Brinkmeyer
September 17, 2013
I so remember Chris as a young man, full of enthusiasm for computers and ready to take on any challenge. I know he will be missed as a bright light in the lives of those he loved and who loved him. His mother is my dearest friend and my heart breaks for her in the loss of her youngest child.
Rick Zuray
September 17, 2013
Chris was a valuabe member to the LOTAR International Project. I had the pleasure of knowing him even if it was only for a few short years. His warm personality and great contribution to the PMI and PDM techncial working groups will be greatly missed. On behalf of LOTAR International I would like to extend our condolances to his family and friends. Our thoughts and prayers are with you all.
Melissa Rightmire
September 17, 2013
What a terrible shock to hear of Chris's untimely death. May the Lord be your Comfort and hope in these days and the ones to come. Chris was an incredible person who had both a great personality and amazing technical depth and skill. He will be greatly missed by his co-workers.
Rachel Harris
September 17, 2013
You know how much our hearts are broken, Sunnev. Chris was one of the good guys and he left a wonderful legacy behind with your three beautiful girls. We will be here to support you as time moves on, so please call on us. We celebrate the life of Chris, a truly kind and wonderful good man.
Gee Jensen
September 17, 2013
May God be with you during your time of grief. Chris will truly be missed. He was a great friend and coworker.
Heather Lawrence
September 17, 2013
Chris was a brilliant, kind, funny and just an absolutley wonderful man who will be missed dearly. I wish his family peace in knowing he is in a wonderful place and he is watching over you. I will truely miss his humor and infectious smile. God bless
Joanie Kensil
September 17, 2013
Chris - your sense of humor and quick wit will be sorely missed! Thanks for always being there and hanging out with me during those first years at Honeywell. Enjoyed all the beers and shooting pool during those many Happy Hours! You definitely left your mark on the world. I hope your wife and kids know how much you loved them, talked about them and how proud you were of all your girls. Heaven has another angel, albeit an IT one.
Kathleen Edwards
September 17, 2013
May God be with you and comfort you in the days ahead. I had the pleasure of meeting Chris while he worked at Honeywell. He will be sadly missed by all of his fellow coworkers.
September 17, 2013
My heart goes out to the family for the loss of such an accomplished beautiful Christopher.May God be your source of comfort and help your family to make it through these difficult times(John5:28)
Showing 1 - 29 of 29 results
Make a Donation
in Christopher Chang's name
Memorial Events
for Christopher Chang
How to support Christopher's loved ones
Honor a beloved veteran with a special tribute of ‘Taps’ at the National WWI Memorial in Washington, D.C.
The nightly ceremony in Washington, D.C. will be dedicated in honor of your loved one on the day of your choosing.
Read more
Should I Send Sympathy Flowers?
What kind of arrangement is appropriate, where should you send it, and when should you send an alternative?
Read more
What Should I Write in a Sympathy Card?
We'll help you find the right words to comfort your family member or loved one during this difficult time.
Read moreResources to help you cope with loss
Estate Settlement Guide
If you’re in charge of handling the affairs for a recently deceased loved one, this guide offers a helpful checklist.
Read more
Obituaries, grief & privacy: Legacy’s news editor on NPR podcast
Legacy's Linnea Crowther discusses how families talk about causes of death in the obituaries they write.
Read more
The Five Stages of Grief
They're not a map to follow, but simply a description of what people commonly feel.
Read moreWays to honor Christopher Chang's life and legacy
Obituary Examples
You may find these well-written obituary examples helpful as you write about your own family.
Read more
Obituary Templates – Customizable Examples and Samples
These free blank templates make writing an obituary faster and easier.
Read more
How Do I Write a Eulogy?
Some basic help and starters when you have to write a tribute to someone you love.
Read more
