KENNETH CHIN

Kenneth Chin On June 20, 2012, surrounded by family, Kenneth Chin died at his home in Millbrae, California, at the age of 76. Ken was born at home in New York City's Chinatown on August 8, 1936. Later his family moved to a farm in New Jersey which fostered his dual culture upbringing. He graduated from Rutgers University and began work in New York for Merrill, Lynch, Pierce, Fenner and Beane. His experiences there tended to change his views on the private sector. His stints with the US Air Force, the original Peace Corps, teaching in the public schools, and with the US Department of Health, Education and Welfare speaks of a career in public service. Later with the Social Security Administration, he moved into management roles. A hiatus with the State of Arizona saw him co-author the state's welfare-work program. Leaving the state and returning to San Francisco, he began work with the Federal Emergency Management Agency. His work for FEMA took him to many far-flung places, among them the US Virgin Islands, the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico, the Commonwealth of the Northern Marianas, the Territory of American Samoa, the Territory of Guam, the Republic of the Marshall Islands, the Republic of Palau, and the Federated States of Micronesia. He participated in numerous other disaster operations primarily in California, Hawaii, Nevada, Arizona but assisted in many other states as well. In his later days with FEMA Ken was the Regional Chair of the FEMA Radiologic Programs. After a long career with FEMA, he retired to spend more time with his family and to travel. His best memories were the over 200 days on cruise ships, 3 months in France, and 4 months in a college level study abroad program in Paris. Ken will be remembered by his loving companion, partner, confidante, lover, and best friend Betsy and their 2 children, Mary Kathleen Chin and Kenneth Sturdevant Chin of San Francisco. Also surviving are children from a previous marriage, Margaret Shirley Chin of Tempe, AZ, Amy Lorraine Chin of Mesa, AZ, and Alexander Lawrence Chin of Portland, OR. Family and friends are invited to his memorial service on Sunday June 24 at 2:00PM at Duggan's Serra Mortuary 500 Westlake Ave. Daly City, CA.