Obituary

Tsunming “David” Chen, 76, passed away in Laguna Niguel on November 25, 2014.

Born in China, raised in Taiwan, and later emigrating to the United States, Tsunming lived a life marked by deep curiosity, humor, and unwavering dedication. As a research scientist in the pharmaceutical industry with Warner-Lambert, he applied his intellect with passion, contributing meaningfully to the field. His curiosity extended far beyond his profession—he loved diving into books, though he rarely finished them, always eager for the next idea or discovery. He was never one to hold back in a discussion—his passion and fire made every debate lively, engaging, and unforgettable.

Tsunming had an undeniable zest for life. He found joy in the thrill of blackjack, the strategy of chess, and the unpredictability of the stock market. His humor was ever-present—witty and sharp, making him an approachable and well-liked dad among his children’s friends. His hearty laugh filled the spaces around him. Whether making unconventional bids in bridge that drove his wife, Esther, up the wall or declaring himself his younger daughter’s “track manager” at every meet, his presence was always felt in the most vibrant ways.

He loved food and could eat endless bowls of rice, always savoring the simple joys of a good meal. His approach to cooking was highly suspect —refusing to taste or measure, much to the amusement (and occasional horror) of those around him. His kitchen experiments included attempts to make ‘mantou’ (that are supposed to be fluffy and white, but came out hard and brown) and the perfect Brussel sprouts, so delicious that his wife deemed them wildly unhealthy.

Tsunming also found peace in gardening, producing so many tomatoes and cucumbers that his daughters had to run around the neighborhood giving them away.

At the time of his passing, he was survived by his devoted wife, Esther, his loving daughters, Paige and Janice, and his sisters in Taiwan.