Wilbert Hu Kau Chang
November 13, 1933 - January 20, 2015
Resident of Santa Clara and Los Gatos
Wil Chang passed quietly in the presence of family and friends at Good Samaritan Hospital in San Jose following a sudden decline in health. He will be remembered for his gentle spirit, his friendly ways, his optimism, his kindness and his generosity. He will be sorely missed by many.
Wil was born and raised in Hawaii, graduating from Saint Louis High School in Honolulu in 1951 before moving to the mainland. He earned his bachelors degree in Electrical Engineering from the University of Dayton, Ohio where he was an active member of the Hui O Hawaii Club, the Mathematics Club and the Reserve Officers' Training Corps, then graduated with a Masters of Science degree from the University of Berkeley in1957. From 1957 to 1963, he served as a 1st lieutenant in the United States Army reserves. Wil spent the next 38 years working as an engineer in the aerospace industry, eventually retiring from classified work with Lockheed Martin in 1995.
Work was important to Wil, but it did not define him. Wil married Fay Fong in 1962, and together they settled in San Mateo to start a family. They had five children: Marie, who succumbed to cancer in 2001; Jeanette (partner Gloria); Suzanne (husband Robert); Robert; Christine (partner Teedie). In 1964, the Changs moved to Santa Clara where Wil was an active member of St. Justin's Church. Wil is also survived by his siblings Rita, Blossom, Wilfred, Barbara (John), and many nieces, nephews and relatives on the mainland and Oahu.
Wil remained an active part of his children's lives, even after they left home. They considered him not only a great father, but the best travel companion in the world. Chrissy and Wil traveled the globe to see 4 Summer Olympics; their last stop was 2008 to China. They loved each adventure, learning about the culture, lifestyle and especially the food and wine of each city and country they visited. They also enjoyed local food and wine outings, as well as golf outings. Wil was an avid golfer throughout his adult life and he travelled with Jeanette to many golf courses throughout California and the US, but they were always fond of their yearly trips to Hawaii and Las Vegas with his life long friends from Hawaii. Wil's remarkable claim to fame was his three holes in one over the course of his life.
Wil's tremendous hospitality was illustrated by his gracious hosting of his son Robert's climbing community at his home in Santa Clara. He treated all of them like family and was a reverent supporter of Robert's many climbs and adventures.
Following the arrival of grandchildren, Aaron, Benny and Sammy, Wil was most often referred to as "Poppy" by those closest to him. He was a strong and positive influence on his grandchildren, helping in many ways to raise them. "Poppy" was ever-present during their early years, assisting with everything from diapers to babysitting, then gradually transitioning to mentor and supporter during their teens. In between were countless visits, vacations, meals, "donut runs", holiday celebrations, Friday movie nights, and high school sporting events. Poppy was also well-loved by the family pets, who benefited greatly from his attention.
Poppy spent his last years in Los Gatos, living with his daughter Suzanne, son-in-law Robert, and three grandchildren before moving to The Meadows for assistance with his dementia and declining physical condition.
Friends and family are invited to a viewing and memorial service on February 2, 2015 at the Darling & Fischer Memorial Chapel, 231 East Campbell Avenue, Campbell, California. The viewing will start at 3:00 pm with the memorial service to follow at 6:30 pm.
In lieu of flowers, the family asks that donations be made to one of the following:
Saint Louis Schools: donations in memory of Wilbert H. Chang, Class of 1951 can be made online at: https://www.slscrusadershop.org/giving/online/, or mailed to Saint Louis Schools, 3142 Waialae Avenue, Honolulu, HI 96816.
University of California at Berkeley: please specify that your gift be directed in memory of Wilbert H. Chang to the Electrical Engineering and Computer Sciences Excellence Fund FU0977, or the Cal Women's Golf Fund FU0754000. Donations can be made online at give.berkeley.edu or mailed to University Relations, 2080 Addison Street, MC #4200, Berkeley, CA, 94720-4200.
Alzheimer's Association: donations can be made online at http://www.alz.org/join_the_cause_donate.asp by selecting "Tribute/memorial donation".