K.C. Wong

K. C. Wong, M.D., Ph.D. 1936 ~ 2006 K. C. Wong, M.D., Ph.D., November 12, 1936 ~ 2006 loving father, respected doctor, dedicated teacher and great friend to many people passed away from cancer on May 17, 2006. K. C. lived his life in pursuit of knowledge and believed most in the value of education. He was an excellent father and an inspirational mentor. By his example, he taught his children to approach life with integrity and to care for others. He dedicated his career to caring for patients and fostering the education and research of anesthesiology and pharmacology. Under his guidance, many students and colleagues were able to succeed in their academic and professional goals. He will be remembered as a kind doctor and a brilliant professor. K.C. also spent many good times skiing and playing tennis. He enjoyed eating spicy noodles and cheering for the Nebraska Cornhuskers football team. He could sing, whistle and strum any tune on the ukelele. He leaves behind many friends with whom he laughed often and much. For 24 years, he was Chairman of Anesthesiology at the University of Utah School of Medicine where he was honored in 2002 with the K.C. Wong, M.D., Ph.D. Endowed Professor and Chair of Anesthesiology. His academic and professional accomplishments are numerous. A few among them are: After receiving degrees at Iowa State University and the University of Iowa, he studied and served on the faculties at the University of Nebraska College of Medicine, the University of Washington School of Medicine and the University of Utah School of Medicine. In 1976, he became Chairman of Anesthesiology and Professor of Anesthesiology and Pharmacology at the University of Utah. During his career, he was a member of the National Institute of Health and the Chairman of the International Anesthesia Research Society. He served on numerous editorial boards and published hundreds of medical papers, chapters and abstracts. K.C. spent his last years furthering anesthesia education in China and Taiwan where he was instrumental in establishing the publication of the Chinese Journal of Anesthesia and Analgesia and worked for the Buddhist world relief organization Tzu Chi Foundation. He is survived by his wife Pey Chen and their son Kaston, his three daughters, their spouses and their mother, Jade Wong and Charlie Schoenhoeft, Shale Wong and Dan McKenna, Amber Wong and Matt Lavine, Cherry Wong, and his three grandchildren, Skye and Casey Schoenhoeft, and Lily McKenna. Memorial services will be planned in Salt Lake City, Taipei and Honolulu. Correspondence to the family may be sent care of Jade Wong, 39 Mountain View Ave, Mill Valley, CA 94941. In lieu of flowers, please send donations to the Dr. K.C. Wong Memorial at the American Cancer Society - www.cancer.org.