Austen Inn-Young Chan

May 4, 2009

If your life has been touched by our father in any way, please share your memories. You may email or send it at 521 S. Weller St. #216, Seattle, WA 98104, or give this to any of Austen’s children. Thank you.

Saturday, April 4, 2009 – 11am

In Loving Memory of

Austen Inn-Young Chan

September 1, 1940 – March 25, 2009

Memorial Service for

AUSTEN INN-YOUNG CHAN

BORN

September 1, 1940

Chiu Chow, China

RETURNED HOME

March 25, 2009

Seattle, Washington

PALLBEARERS

Michael Chan, son

Richard Chan, son

Brian Chan, son

Joshua Heckathorn, son-in-law

David Chan, brother

Stanley Wong, brother-in-law

Ted Yan, brother-in-law

Stevens Chan, cousin

Raymond Chan, cousin

Tom Chik, nephew

INTERMENT

Holyrood Cemetery – Shoreline, Washington

DEDICATORY PRAYER

Michael Chan, Son

Conducting Bishop Dave Hanley, friend

Pianist Karen Halversen, friend

Chorister Albert Blanchard, friend

Opening Hymn Each Life That Touches Ours for Good #293

Invocation Adam Self, friend

Musical Selection Families Can Be Together Forever

Kaitlin and Nicole Chan, granddaughters

Life Sketch (English) John Connell, friend

Life Sketch (Chinese) David Chan, brother

Remarks High school friend

Remarks Lt. Governor Brad Owen, friend

Musical Selection I Need Thee Every Hour

Joshua and Lisa Chan Heckathorn, daughter

Tribute read by Michael and Richard Chan, sons

Michael, Richard, Brian Chan and Lisa Heckathorn

Tribute Nora Chan, wife

Musical Number I Know That My Redeemer Lives

Nephews and Nieces

Talk on Eternal Life Bishop Alan Culwell, friend

Closing Hymn Love at Home #294

Benediction Pres. Greg Halversen, friend

Obituary

Dr. Austen Inn-Young Chan, at the age of 68, passed away on March 25, 2009, in Seattle, WA, from multiple organ failure. He fought for a courageous seven years, battling prostate cancer, kidney failure, pulmonary fibrosis, and heart failure. He did not lose his battle to sickness. He won and is free of pain and in the presence of Christ and God. Austen was born to Kan-Twin and Far-Rwe Chan on September 1, 1940 and lived in Canton China until the age of 7. When the country changed power, they were forced out of their beautiful home. Since Austen was the first-born, and because his father was in Hong Kong, Austen took up the responsibility to take care of his mom, brother, sister, and grandparents. He would beg from house to house for food for his family. He was determined to change his fate and was willing to study hard for a better future for him and his family. His hard work and determination won him a round trip ticket to find his father in Hong Kong with the purpose of bringing money back to the village for the rest of the family. Austen left China for Hong Kong at the age of 15 and never looked back. He attended Pui-Ying high school and received high praise from his teachers. He was an avid athlete and helped win the high school volleyball and basketball championship. After graduating from high school, he received a scholarship to attend medical school in Taiwan. He opted to not accept and to come to the United States instead. He borrowed money and bought a one-way ticket, boarding the plane with less than $70.00 in his pocket. On his second day in the US, he got a job as a cashier in a Chinese Super market in Yuba, Calif. and started to dream his American dream. After graduating from Yuba College, he went to Oregon State University. He worked 2 to 3 jobs to support himself for schooling and to send money home to help the family back in Hong Kong. After graduating with his bachelor’s degree in Physics (1966), he returned to Hong Kong and met his wife, Nora. They were later married on July 17, 1967. He again returned to the US with less than $100.00 in his pocket, but with a scholarship waiting. He received his Masters degree in physics from San Jose State University and later his PhD in physics from Brigham Young University. He went on to teach at Logan State University as an assistant professor in the physics department. His career continued at the Hanford Nuclear Power Plant in Richland, WA. But because his wife developed severe back problems, he decided to return to school and become a chiropractor, He attended Palmer Chiropractic College West in San Jose, CA and obtained his degree in Chiropractic in 1984. He was very happy that he could apply his physics background to chiropractic and solve his wife's back problems and help his patients. As a chiropractor, Austen was loved by his patients. They would sometimes travel hours to see him. He founded the Back and Neck Pain Centers, which grew to seven locations in the Seattle area. He additionally enjoyed being a radiation-shielding specialist for the State of Washington. As a successful businessman, he sat on the Board of Trustees for Palmer University and on the Board of Directors for AEA Bank in Seattle, WA. He also was a founder of two internet companies, Creditnet and Enetchina. Austen was also a man that was led by his faith. He joined the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints in 1963 and remained an active member. He was a high councilman and high priest and enjoyed sharing his beliefs. Austen cherished his wife. He loved her so much he was willing to change his profession for her. He loved his four children. He enjoyed being involved in their sports, schooling, and activities. He was very proud that two of his sons became chiropractors, another son became an orthodontist, and his daughter graduated with a degree in business management. Now she and her husband own their own business. He taught us to do everything with love, dignity, and faith. He was the first in his extended family to reach the United States in 1961. Now there are over 100 relatives that have been able to immigrate to the United States, the most recent being in 2004. He has touched many lives; he was small in stature, but a giant in heart to those who knew him. Austen is survived by his spouse Nora, sons Michael (Amanda), Richard (Juli), and Brian (Rebecca), daughter Lisa (Josh), grandchildren Kaitlin, Nicole, Micah, Mason, Austen, and Kolton, parents Kan-Twin and Far-Rwe, siblings David, Monisa, Audrey, and Florence, and many other extended family.