Dr. Chen Tsai, devoted husband, beloved father, and accomplished neurosurgeon passed away peacefully surrounded by family on February 1, 2021 at the age of 99. He was born in 1921 in Chekiang, China to Yuan Tsai and Gee Hung Woo Tsai.

He graduated from National Tung-Chi University and the German Medical Academy in Shanghai, interning at Shanghai General Hospital. He received a Rockefeller Foundation scholarship to study Neuropsychiatry at the University of Colorado and was a Fellow at the Montreal Neurological Institute.

Medical and teaching positions took him to the University of Chicago and the University of Oregon Medical School (present-day OHSU). In 1965, he settled in Corvallis, and started a practice of neurosurgery in the mid-Willamette valley. He practiced for 28 years and then became a neurosurgical consultant.

He enjoyed working, studying, and being with his wife and family.

He is survived by his beloved wife Gloria; his children: Anthony (Susan), Jorie Skreen (Jeff), David, Mark (Donna), Virginia Ocasio (Pablo), Catherine Driscoll (Robert); twelve grandchildren; seven great-grandchildren; brother Patrick (Ellen); and one niece and one nephew. He was predeceased by his son, Charles, and his sister, Hanzeh.

A private funeral mass will be held at St. Cyril Catholic Church in Wilsonville, followed by private burial at a later date.

In lieu of flowers, please direct gifts in memory of Chen to the OHSU Foundation in support of the Knight Cancer Institute Patient Support Services Fund. Checks can be made out to the OHSU Foundation and mailed to OHSU Foundation, PO Box 29017, Portland, OR 97296. Please include "in memory of Chen Tsai" on the memo line. To give online, go to www.OnwardOHSU.org//donation.

To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.

Published by Albany Democrat-Herald on Feb. 16, 2021.

Memories and Condolences
for Chen Tsai

Sponsored by Gethsemani Catholic Cemetery & Funeral Home.

11 Entries

Edward Li, MD

April 18, 2023

Dr. Tsai was a family friend of ours. I remember him telling me stories of his life. It seemed like he had lived multiple lives. He told me about his life as a special forces soldier in the Nationalists Chinese Army during World War 2. He told me about his neurosurgery residency in the US and the racism he endured and surmounted. He told me about the racism he encountered in France during a neurosurgery meeting and how he stood up for himself, almost starting a fight. I remember him telling me how he stayed healthy and fit by practicing multiple martial arts. I remember him advising me to be a physician and which subspecialty to pursue. He inspired me with his strong, but kind, manner. A true gentleman, a wonderful family friend, and a person I always hoped to emulate, both as a surgeon and a person.

Linda Larkins

December 11, 2022

My family owes him so much!!! In 1959 he removed a large brain tumor from my mother she was given 6 months to live without the surgery.. Dr Tsai was not only able to remove the tumor but did so with no ill side effects. Mother lived another 41 years raised 6 children 10 grandchildren and 1 great granddaughter and 4 step grands and 5 step great grandchildren. I pray everyday for him and his family every day.

john eccles

September 19, 2021

dr. tsai operated on me for hours to put me back from a serious skull fracture and near death in june, 1965, after many hours of surgery on a patient just before me. he will always remain an amazing hero in my family, and will be missed by all. we share your loss

Sandra King

February 22, 2021

I want to extend my sympathies to the family in the loss of Dr Tsai. I was blessed to work for him in his office in the early 80´s. He was gracious to me and I learned a lot. I have thought about him often. May God bless and comfort You in your loss.

Ken Fuglee

February 18, 2021

I am so sorry for your loss. As a former Corvallis Firefighter and EMT, I have many memories of his wonderful work. In particular, I remember a young high school boy who had only fainted. Dr. Tsai saved his life when he recognized the signs of a head injury in the emergency room and had him in surgery within 30 minutes. There were many others including close friends whom he saved. His caring and skill was respected by all and we knew that he was the doctor we all wanted if we had any head injury or neurological illness. May God be with you in your time of loss.

Marian Rubio

February 15, 2021

I am so very sorry for your loss! May God bless you all in this time of sadness.

Lisa Doucet

February 15, 2021

My deepest condolences to the Tsai family

Crescent Valley

February 15, 2021

"Dr. Tsai was a gifted man and forever changed the lives of those around him. Godspeed Dr. Tsai your legacy of love is left in your beautiful children: Tony, Jorie, David, Mark, Ginny and Cathy. ~Nance Kiesling"

"He kept my wife out of a wheelchair finding and removing a tumor. That 3 other neurologists couldn't. One she was crazy. Men like him will be missed. ~Damon Struble"

"Sad news. Thank you for sharing. Condolences to the entire family.
While doing my surgical rotation in nursing school I was assigned to his OR room for the day. I was so incredibly nervous to be in the famous Dr Tsai's room. I was aware of him by both his reputation and his presence in church. Always near the front, with his entire family taking up the pew. I have to say my fears were unwarranted. He was so kind and patient. He took the time to explain everything along the way.
RIP. ~Kathy Slezak Orsi"

"I'm so sorry it's hard. I know just went though it prayers for the family. ~ Sheri Archibald Hagelstein"

"My Condolences to the family. Dr. Tsai helped my Dad too. Wonderful Doctor. ~ Mary McCain"

"Dr. Tsai played a key role in the health of a family member, as I'm sure he did with many families in the Corvallis area. Thank you and Rest In Peace. Prayers to the family. ~Bob Calhoun"

"Very interesting obituary in the paper this morning, I didn't know Dr. Tsai's history.
Condolences & Prayers to the family. ~ Everett Hartman"

Crescent Valley

February 15, 2021

"Dr. Tsai was remembered fondly and revered by many on our Crescent Valley Class website this morning. I am copy & pasting the messages to share with the Tsai family."

"Dr. Chen Tsai passed away on February 1st at the age of 99. He was a renowned Neurosurgeon to the community but he was Dad to our friends and classmates: Tony, Jorie (Marj), Dave, Mark, Ginny and Cathy. Godspeed Dr. Tsai your work is done here, Rest in Love ❤"

"This is the place where we sometimes learn of the passing of classmates and their family members. Dr. Chen Tsai - father of our classmate Jorie, Tony, Mark, and their siblings - passed on Feb 1. Our family was blessed by his skills as a neurosurgeon when he operated on my Dad after a serious industrial accident in the late 1960s. Dad recovered completely and went on to a lengthy and distinguished career as a developer and contractor well into his late 70s. Healers have a special place in the hereafter. Rest in Power, Good Doctor. ~ Jeff Davis"

"He successfully operated on my husband. A caring manner as well as a talented surgeon. Sincere condolences to the family. ~Felicia Uhden"

"I visited the Tsai's when I came out for the 40th reunion. They were living in a assisted living home near Portland . As many of you know, "Marj" and I were tight in Jr high. My parents were friendly with Chen and Gloria. We went to the same church in Corvallis. Nance, do you have an address? My condolences to the family and friends. He was a very interesting man and a phenomenal surgeon. ~ Lisa Doucet"

"Dr. Tsai was an absolutely brilliant neurosurgeon. Our little town was blessed to have such talent. If I recall he was a good magician with those deft fingers. ~ Sue Griffith"

"Loved Dr Tsai! I am sorry to hear this. ~ Elizabeth Foster"

"I worked as a nurse on the neuro unit with Dr Tsai about 38 years ago- he was so respected & skilled. The best to the Tsai family. ~Heather Almon"

Debi

February 15, 2021

I was never a patient of Dr. Tsai, I never knew him, but I would like to extend my sympathy to his loved ones, and thank you for sharing him with all of the people who were the recipients of the wonderful gift of the healing that he provided.

Pat & Joy McClenaghan

February 8, 2021

So much to honor and celebrate. The Tsai family is in our thoughts and prayers.

Showing 1 - 11 of 11 results