Joseph O. Chan Ph.D.

Joseph O. Chan, Ph.D., age 73, of Burr Ridge, Illinois, passed away on March 9, 2026, with his family by his side. The world has lost a selfless man with an unshakable moral compass and unwavering commitment to his family. A devoted father, husband, brother, and an accomplished educator, administrator, and executive, Joe made an indelible impact with his wisdom, mentorship, compassion, strength, humor, and dedication to doing the right thing.

Joe grew up in Hong Kong, raised by his resilient grandmother after his father died at a young age. Notwithstanding his humble roots, his childhood was filled with school and activities, including soccer, table tennis, choir, serving as an altar boy at a local Catholic church, and mentoring neighborhood children as a leader in the Don Bosco Boys Club. In his youth, Joe also devoted himself to judo, setting the stage for his lifelong love of martial arts.

At 18, Joe made the difficult decision to leave Hong Kong and travel to the United States with only two suitcases and a carry-on bag in pursuit of better educational and professional opportunities. He attended the Philadelphia College of Pharmacy for one year before transferring to Haverford College in Pennsylvania, which became a haven away from home. There, he explored many intellectual interests and, after falling in love with a pure mathematics class, switched from a pre-med track to majoring in math. After graduation, Joe enrolled in a Ph.D. program in Mathematics at the University of Illinois Chicago, where a teaching assistantship provided him with a stipend and tuition waiver, and he eventually settled in Oak Park, Illinois.

During this time, Joe met his wife, Christina ("Krysia"), who was studying for her master's degree in Mathematics at UIC. Assigned to the same graduate office, they connected over lunches and conversations, bonding over cultural similarities and differences, devotion to family, and shared intellectual curiosity. One day, while driving home from school, Joe proposed to Christina at a stoplight; she said yes, and they were married before a judge on a joyful, cold February day in 1980. Shortly thereafter, they welcomed their first child, Christopher, followed by their second son, Oliver, and, later, their daughter, Natalie.

While raising young children and pursuing his doctorate, Joe juggled multiple part-time teaching positions at UIC, DePaul University, Loyola University, Mundelein College, and Roosevelt University. Despite many late nights and moments of doubt, he ultimately achieved his goal of earning his Ph.D. He then accepted a full-time position at DePaul University as an instructor and later assistant professor, teaching computer science at both undergraduate and graduate levels and authoring a book on discrete mathematics.

Joe's career took an unexpected turn when Oracle Corporation recruited him because of his expertise in computer science and mathematics. After a brief meeting, he joined as a senior consultant in the Chicago office and began his journey in corporate America. Over roughly a decade at Oracle, he rose quickly through leadership roles, ultimately serving as Vice President of Core Technology Services and e-Business Solutions, leading hundreds of people and supporting scores of businesses nationwide. He was proud to receive the Practice Development Award in 1994 for his contributions to business development and often said his approach to business and life were the same. For more than 15 years in industry, Joe held executive positions at several fast-growing technology firms and was seen as an authority in his field. He consulted extensively and was a principal author of numerous proprietary reports for businesses and government agencies.

In 2002, Joe returned to academia at Roosevelt University, where he served as Professor of Information Systems, Department Chair, Interim Dean, and Dean of the Heller College of Business. During this time, he received the Outstanding Research Award and the Chicago Professorship Award from the Heller College and Best Author Awards from the American Academy of Business. He also served as a fellow and executive director at the International Information Management Association and sat on editorial boards for several academic journals. Joe was passionate about teaching and mentored numerous students until his retirement in 2023.

Beyond his professional life, Joe was a poetic writer, voracious reader, and gifted musician. He loved to cook Chinese cuisine over a glass of wine while listening to opera or classical music. Always eager to learn, he consumed information quickly and constantly challenged himself. Joe's work ethic was unparalleled; he gave his all to every endeavor and taught his children to do the same, reminding them to take pride in their work and always try their best. A natural storyteller, he often held court at the head of the table, sharing life lessons with wit and conviction.

Joe was a fighter in every sense of the word. He earned his seventh-degree black belt in Tae Kwon Do and was both a master and devoted student of martial arts, proudly demonstrating skills such as breaking concrete slabs with his palm or cutting a flying apple with his sword. He bonded with his children and grandchildren through martial arts, training them and instilling the five tenets of Tae Kwon Do: courtesy, integrity, perseverance, self-control, and indomitable spirit. His fighting spirit was equally evident in how he confronted the challenges he faced, including his courageous battle with and recovery from cancer, which he met with resilience and positivity.

In many ways, Joe defied destiny and overcame long odds with strength and grace. He often said there were three defining choices in his life: coming to America, marrying his wife, and having his three children. He also said his proudest accomplishment in life was his family and the opportunities he was able to provide them. Joe will be remembered through the vibrant stories he told, the values he imparted, and his loving and generous spirit.

Joe is survived by his beloved wife, Christina, to whom he was married for 46 years; his children, Christopher Chan (Rachel Starunko), Oliver Chan (Toni), and Natalie Chan (Andrew Adair); and his cherished grandchildren, Olivia, Ethan, Dylan, Antonella, Lucas, Oliver, Anderson, and Alanna. He was also a dear brother to Yin Yee Chan and Ngun Yee Chan, and a friend and mentor to many. Joe was preceded in death by his cherished grandmother, his father, Wing Chan, his father-in-law, Tadeusz Beluch, and his mother-in-law, Joanna Beluch, for whom he cared for many years.

A private memorial service celebrating Joe's exceptional life will be held on Saturday, March 14, 2026, at Sullivan Funeral Home in Hinsdale, Illinois, with visitation from 9:00–10:00 a.m. and service from 10:00–11:00 a.m. Interment will follow at Queen of Heaven Cemetery in Hillside, Illinois.

In lieu of flowers, please consider donations in Joe's memory to the Esophageal Cancer Action Network at https://ecan.org/give-to-save-lives-2 and join the fight.