COLUMBUS
Kwok-Sang Chui
Beloved husband, father, grandfather, brother, uncle and friend.
Dr. Kwok-Sang Chui died early on September 15th, 2024. He led an incredible life of adventure and left his mark on the hearts and minds of a large community of friends and family.
Born in Hong Kong in 1937, Dr. Kwok-Sang Chui (aka “Chui”) lived in Canton with his father Sine-Tak, his mother Ku Wai Fong, and his two brothers (Kwok-Kuen and Kwok-Jok). The war and invasion led his family into China before they returned to Hong Kong. Chui lived at the Faith Love Orphanage and was supported by the Christian Children’s Fund. It was here that he received his early schooling and excelled at soccer, track and field and basketball. He became a teacher at Sha Tau Kok, a school in service to Queen Elizabeth II. In 1964, he sailed to the U.S. to study, sponsored by Professor Margaret Schauffler. He studied first at Ashland College (B.S.) and then Bowling Green State University (M.S.), majoring in math and teaching as a TA.
In 1971, Chui met a nurse named Linda Hawbaker on a blind date. They married in 1972 in Fort Wayne, Indiana and had two children, Emily and Marcus. Chui worked as a teacher and the basketball coach at Huntington Catholic High School before obtaining his PhD from Purdue University in manufacturing engineering in 1978. Chui began his career at Cummins Engine in Columbus in 1978 and went on to work for over 20 years throughout the organization. During a sabbatical, he returned to Hong Kong as a visiting professor in engineering at the Polytechnic Institute. His children count this ‘great adventure’ as one of their most formative experiences. Chui returned to work at Cummins until his retirement in 1998. After retiring from Cummins, he was employed in research and development at J L French, the American Society of Manufacturing, LHP, and other organizations. For many decades, he also taught advanced math courses at IUPUC.
Chui personified an adventurous spirit in life and a gift for friendship. He was a maker of legendary egg rolls and porridge, as well as campfire chicken wings. He crafted Sunday feasts when his own children were young, then whatever his grandchildren wanted later. He instilled in others the commitment to community, and to working hard to always be learning and sharing what you learn and what you have. He inspired his children, family, friends and colleagues to “do all the good you can, in all the ways you can”.
Dr. Kwok-Sang Chui was preceded in death by his parents and brothers. He is survived by his wife of over 50 years, Linda Chui, his children, Emily; son-in-law, Mike; son, Marcus; grandchildren, Teddy, Avery, Maggie and Charlie. He is also survived by sister-in-law, Liu Mui Fong, as well as his siblings-in-law, Evelyn (Roger) Terrell, Barbara Benya, James (Myrna) Hawbaker, Rebecca (Dave) Meeks, Jon (Jody) Hawbaker, and Lynn (Pam) Hawbaker. He has over 40 nieces and nephews and great-nieces and great-nephews spread all over the world.
In accordance with Dr. Chui and his family’s request, cremation will take place. A memorial service honoring his life will be conducted at 11:00 a.m. Saturday, September 21, 2024 at First United Methodist Church with Pastor Rachel Metheny officiating. Visitation will be from 9:30 a.m. until the time of service Saturday at the church. A livestream of the memorial service may be viewed at 11:00 a.m. Saturday on Facebook or YouTube @ First United Methodist Church, Columbus, Indiana.
Memorial contributions may be given to the Indiana University – Columbus, the Purdue University Foundation or the Riley Children’s Hospital Foundation.
Online condolences and special heartfelt memories may be shared with Chui’s family and a video tribute may be viewed at barkesweaverglick.com.
Caring and professional service is being provided by Barkes, Weaver &Glick Funeral Home.
