Rita’s eulogy:

Thank you for gathering here today to honor and celebrate the remarkable life of Uncle Chester. And I think we all know, uncle Chester would want us to truly celebrate that he is enjoying the paradise of heaven, he always made sure everyone around him was happy, so we should honor him that way today.

 I am deeply grateful to Auntie Rosanna for allowing me the opportunity to share a few words about a man who has profoundly impacted my life and the lives of so many, especially the youth here at CJUMC.

He was like a father to me, not just in the pivotal moments of life but also in the everyday tasks. He helped me move in and out of college, taught me how to drive, and checked my car before long trips to ensure I was safe. Although we have walked with Uncle Chester through his cancer journey over the past 4 years, and watched his body grow frail, Uncle Chester never lost his character and willingness to help. Just a few months ago, despite feeling sick from the clinical trial treatment, he meticulously and patiently walked Phil and me through changing the radiator fluid when my car broke down in Philadelphia. He also made sure Auntie Rosanna called every few hours to check on us during our drive home. He had an incredible ability to offer practical help, always coupled with genuine care, that never waned during his illness. Over the past 3 months, he became Lolo to my daughter, Lily. No matter how he was feeling, he always asked about how Lily was doing, and visited her in the NICU. He adored her and prayed for her, hoping one day he could bring her to get ice cream, his favorite dessert. This short time Uncle Chester shared with his Apo, Lily, was so precious. She will learn about what a great man her Lolo, Uncle Chester was when she is older. 

He embodied generosity in every aspect of his life. I will never forget how he would walk around the tables during family gatherings, making sure everyone had enough to eat, was having a good time - and asking each kid “are you going to college yet?” He always said, “My home is your home” - sharing whatever he had with everyone. In his final days, even in the hospital, Uncle Chester’s generosity shone brightly. When I brought him fruit while visiting him, he scanned the room asking Rosanna to find something to give me in exchange. No matter how badly he was feeling, he was always thinking of others and how to give more. He never expected anything in return for his kindness.

Uncle Chester also had a lightness about him, often sharing dad jokes and teasing us kids with a smile. He was a father-like figure to many here today, ensuring every youth had a ride to church to grow in their faith, even if that meant driving all around the county himself to pick everyone up early Sunday morning.

His craftsmanship was legendary. If something was broken in my family, we knew we could count on Uncle Chester to help us fix it. At church, he was always involved in projects to improve our community space. He had a giving spirit and generously shared his time and talents whenever he was called.

Some of my fondest memories are of our summer travels. Uncle Chester took us to the beach every summer, swimming in the ocean, riding bikes, and playing on the boardwalk. His catchphrase, “Let’s go check it out!” will forever echo in my heart, as he made U-turns on a whim to explore parks and historic sites. He let us lead the way while he followed, always ensuring our safety and allowing us the freedom to explore. Under his watchful eye, we felt secure, and he made sure we played until the last bit of sunlight, creating memories that will last a lifetime.

Perhaps the greatest testament to Uncle Chester’s character is his unwavering selflessness. In his final days, despite his discomfort and confusion, he remained genuinely concerned for others, apologizing for not being able to sit up to greet the doctors and nurses properly. His gratitude was palpable, thanking the nurses continuously for their care. It was a reflection of his ingrained desire to be hospitable, to make everyone feel welcome even when he was not feeling well. That was Uncle Chester—always more concerned about others than himself. 

Uncle Chester was a true pillar of our community and in my life. He exemplified integrity, generosity, and reliability, setting the bar high for the character we should all aspire to achieve. He was a self-sacrificial husband to Auntie Rosanna and a doting father to Jed. Every day, he lived out Christ’s love and reflected goodness in everything he did.

As we remember Uncle Chester today, let us carry forward his legacy of kindness, generosity, and unwavering support for one another. May we honor him by living our lives with the same spirit he embodied.

Thank you.

Our deepest condolences to Rosanna, Jed and the entire family. Chester was a good, simple, principled and hard working man. As our neighbor for many years, Rosanna and Chester always welcomed our daughters especially to use their pool. And then fast forward they celebrated their marriages and even opened their homes to our family when they came from overseas for the wedding. Our memories of Chester are of him hard at work outdoors- a presence we missed when he fell ill. He fought his illness with courage with Rosanna by his side patiently supporting him every step. We wish our dear Rosanna strength and courage. Rest in peace Chester. Rohini and Sudeep Anand

I'm so thankful for the loving and caring life my uncle lived! He was inspiration to me and my family through his big heart and generous spirit. Growing up I remembered him as a humorous uncle who was able to make us all laugh through his mannerisms and jokes. Once I moved to Maryland, I came to know my uncle as someone who was willing to inconvenience himself for others. Him and my aunt welcomed one of my friends to Maryland when she came for an interview before moving and made sure she made it safely to her hotel. When we moved, they hosted us for dinner and we got to celebrate Father's Day and my uncle's birthday together. My uncle helped us buy our first van by coming to the dealership, negotiating for us, and at the end even offering to pay for the car so that we could pay him back with no interest! No interest rate would have been low enough for him as he didn't want us to spend money unnecessarily. When I started helping out with the youth group at Cabin John United Methodist, my uncle set up the room for us and was always helping out with rides so that the students could attend. He really made it a point to support us in whatever way he could. I will miss his hearty laugh and loving presence, but I am thankful that one day we'll see one another again in heaven! 

Uncle Chester was more than just an uncle; he was a role model. His kindness and joyful nature shined every time he was in the room. Whether he was fixing a church family’s car, driving the church kids to the beach, or helping fix seemingly anything that was broken, his hands were always busy, and his heart was always open. He understood the importance of service and community, often reminding us that the greatest joy comes from giving to others. He always put others before him, while also bringing joy at countless family gatherings with his amusing jokes and fun nature. He also was the most patient man; I remember during one multi hour road trip with the church kids, he endured almost 2 hours of non stop “bop-it” sounds from a toy the kids were passing around. Finally he asked us to please take a break. A truly patient man.  As we reflect on his life, let us remember the lessons he imparted: to be present for one another, to lend a helping hand, and to embrace life with gratitude and joy. Uncle Chester’s spirit lives on in the stories we share, the love we carry in our hearts, and the values he instilled in each of us.

Hi, below is the eulogy I gave for my father at the funeral this past Saturday:

Good morning everybody. To be honest, this past week I was pretty nervous preparing my remarks for today. Then, I realized that was something I probably inherited from my father. You see, Chester Tan never wanted to be the center of attention - which makes it all the more impressive how many people who loved him are here today. After all, it’s easy for people to know who you are when you have a big audience or platform. It’s harder but more meaningful when you do what he did in building those relationships with each one of you one-by-one.

The last few days, I’ve heard so many new-to-me stories that showed how my father made a difference in peoples’ lives. So many of them admittedly have involved cars - fixing them, recommending them, giving people rides, even negotiating buying cars. I would’ve loved to be there for that last one. And for good reason, he really loved his cars. The only two things I ever remember buying himself for fun - something would be considered a luxury - were his Road and Track magazines, and the 1990 Corvette C4 that he had for a while.

Asides from the cars, more similarities pass through all the stories I’ve been told. All of them showed kindness, a willingness to sacrifice, and generosity in many ways. He was the type of man who was willing to be your personal AAA, driving out in the middle of the night to help fix a flat. He was the type of man who showed up very frequently here, CJUMC, with toolbox in hand to do repairs around the facilities. He was the type of man to do a weekly tour around Montgomery County before church on Sundays to make sure that everyone could get to church, no matter what their situation was. Dad’s generosity was shown through action more than words. And of course, he showed every bit of that generosity and willingness to me. Countless rides to Damascus for practice when I used to shoot competition rifle. Hours spent on Saturdays helping me with my Chinese homework when the last thing I wanted was more school. Driving me across the country and state to go to chess and rifle competitions or a new museum. All that time given to me, cultivating my interests, seemed natural and simple for a father to do. However, I know for a fact that his love and generosity was not born out of fatherly obligation since he shared it equally with all of you. That’s just who he was.

My dad’s passing left my Mom and I with the presence of grief, but also an absence of joy. What’s the difference between those two? Well, you all know that my dad was an underrated comedian well-schooled in dad jokes. Some of his jokes to the nurses at his different hospital stays were the only things keeping some light in the room, even though they often made me groan. Not to name names, but I have heard multiple youth in the church refer to him as a troll, probably from the dad jokes - I promise they meant it in an endearing way. Maybe that’s why the loss hurts even more. Not only are we grieving, but he’s no longer here to be the one to lighten the mood.

Even though he was suffering at the end, he never made anything about himself. He’d ask anybody who visited him if they wanted anything to eat, tried to get them to wear slippers or sit down if they were standing. When I would call my parents on the phone from California to check on him, there were times he’d willingly undergo a coughing fit just to ask me if I’d eaten yet or if it was a bad time for me to call him. Despite the coughing fits, I oddly found those moments humorous. How far is this man going to just to make sure anothers day was a little bit better? I guess his view was that nobody should have to suffer on his behalf. I know I never did - maybe with the exception of the dad jokes and chinese tutoring.

Over the last few days I’ve had the chance to reminisce on just how blessed I am to have a mother and father who have modeled a good and moral life. It’s made it so much easier for me to live with conviction. As to my dad, from him I know what it looks like to embody selflessness, generosity, and reliability. He will forever be my role model for the phrase: “when the going gets tough, the tough get going” - which he would do while cracking jokes along the way. I also know way more about fixing toilet valves than I had ever thought I would.

Even though he’s no longer with us, I’ll still be able to keep learning how to embody these virtues. That’s because I know he’s reflected those values on each one of you - you are all now my teachers. So please, I ask that you all continue to tell me and each other all the stories that you have with my father. They will help us to both mourn this loss and help us lift each other up. Thank you all for being here.

I had the privilege of working for the past five years with Chester at the United States Patent and Trademark Office in Alexandria, Virginia. While his technical skills were excellent and everyone depended on Chester when they needed help, it was his demeanor; always friendly, always willing to stop what he was doing to help, and usually good for a laugh at some comical thing happening in the office full of engineers.  He was my office mate until covid forced us to work from home.  We had many laughs together.  

We were (are) a nerdy bunch and were surrounded by physicists and engineer patent examiners going about their business. It was the perfect environment for Chester and he loved it and we loved him. Mostly though, we miss his smile. We miss his companionship. We miss his conversation. I have followed Chester these past years in his struggles with cancer. But now he is free from this dreaded disease and in a better place. Rest in peach Chester. You deserve it but we will miss you.

Below is the eulogy from Benita:

Uncle Chester was the best example of a good husband, father, man, and of a life well lived. He loved all of us kids so much, and he especially was always there for our family after my parents divorced. He was so kind, steady, and more like a father to me than anyone else here on earth. I loved him so so so much. I imagine you must be heartbroken and in painful mourning now, but I hope you take comfort knowing that he is in beautiful heaven with our Heavenly Father, and no longer in any pain or suffering in his earthly body. I take comfort thinking of uncle Chester and my mom at peace now, looking down and watching over all of us lovingly. I love you very much, and my heart is with you. Please let me know if there is anything I can do in this difficult time. Love you 💞💞💞

In the beginning, when Chester was courting my sister, Rosanna, I wasn’t quite sure about him because at the time, I didn’t think anyone was worthy of my sister. Then they got married, and then through the years, I came to know and appreciate Chester very much. Yes, I found him to be absolutely worthy.

He was a very hard worker, never slacking off. He was a very loyal husband who always called my sister wherever she went because he wanted to make sure that she was safe. We never doubted his love for her.

He was a father who loved his son, Jed, beyond words, and who was always so proud of him. He was overjoyed when Jed and Katie got engaged last year. Katie, he was simply thrilled that you are part of the family now.

Lastly, he was a faithful servant of God. We shall miss you so much, Chester. Thankfully, this is not a final goodbye, but a “see you later,” because we will meet each other in heaven again someday.

 

Posting this eulogy on behalf of brother Steve Liu:

Chester Celebration

I want to celebrate the life of our dear friend and beloved brother Chester with something I have observed about him over the years, his relationship with kids. I am Steve Liu. Chester and I met in 1991, the year when I moved to MD and joined our church. Chester is a little younger than me. We were both in our 30s then. I remember that, even then, Chester used to hang out with church teenagers playing basketball together. They seemed to enjoy being with each other a lot.

Over the years Chester and I have become closer and closer friends. Part of the reason is that my son Winston and his son Jed were born only weeks apart. They grew up together. And, in fact, more than just the two of them, a group of our church kids, aged between Rita and Evi, grew up together. Every year our families would find different reasons to have parties, often hosted by Rosanna and Chester. We also took many short and sometimes long trips together. I quickly noticed that during these trips, the kids were naturally drawn to their beloved uncle Chester. They would ride in a van that uncle Chester drove and they follow uncle Chester to check out places. Time flies! This group of kids have grown up to be young professionals. Most are married. Some have their own kids now. What is not changed is that Chester continues to be that beloved uncle Chester for younger generations of kids at church. This loving relationship with generations of kids is one of the many legacies that Chester left behind.

Chester is special in that he is well loved by so many kids and adults alike. He is a gentle and humble but, at the same time, very warm and caring person. He is very knowledgeable and a good listener, always ready to help with a set of analytical rigor problem-solving skills.

I treasure all the fond memories we shared. Chester, I know that you are with our Lord now with no more sufferings. You will be greatly missed. Chester, 安息主懷!

Posting this in behalf of John and Grace in Hawaii: 

We are saddened with the news of Chester passing which is so surprising. He will always be remembered as a kind and loving person full of compassion and helpfulness. He was also so devoted to silently & diligently serving our Lord. My deepest sympathy and heartfelt condolences. May God continue to comfort you and be your strength in this difficult time of sorrow. We love you Rosanna and our hearts go out with you.

Sanna, I am extremely saddened to learn that my brother Chester has departed ahead on us while holding on the the certainty I will again meet up with him someday.  May we all stay strong looking forward to that day.

Joseph "Charlie Brown" Sy

中国厦门 东澳小学 毕业照

Our deepest condolence to the family. We will surely miss the chime of his voice that brings joy and laughter as well as encouragement every time we visited you. The joy of knowing we will see him one day is a comfort. May our dear Heavenly Father gives  you and your family peace and comfort during this season of your life. 

With much love,

Charles, Gay, Jedd and Johannah Lim

Dear Rosanna, Jed, Katie, and the Tan family

We were deeply saddened to hear about Chester’s passing. Please accept our heartfelt condolences during this incredibly difficult time. Chester was such a wonderful person. His kindness and warmth touched everyone who knew him.  We will remember him for his fighting spirit and Rosanna's dedication.

You are in our thoughts and prayers.  We are here for you if you need anything.

With deepest sympathy,Dipak and Abha

We were very sad when we heard the news of Chester's passing away from my sister, and a great friend of Rosanna and Chester, Abha. He was a strong amazing husband and father, and we are praying for you all to have the strength at this time. 

God bless you all.

I am deeply saddened to hear the news about Chester. He was such a warm and wonderful person. When I reflect on my time at CJMUC, it’s his friendliness and constant smiles that stand out the most. He never hesitated to help and always volunteered to support his fellow brothers and sisters. The kids adored him and looked up to him as a role model. My heartfelt condolences to his family and the entire CJMUC community. Rest in peace, Chester.

以同哥一路走好，望家人节哀。

My deep sympathy for your loss. May you find peace and comfort that Chester is now pain free and is dwelling in the house of our Lord.

Our deepest sympathy.  We grieve with you and yet also rejoice that Chester is now in our God's loving arms.

Condolence to the family who exude love and warmth even in their difficult times during Chester 兄 sickness. I am truly blessed to have known you.  May God's comfort and peace be with the family. 

Farewell, 以同大哥走好！

We all gonna miss you terribly and be in God's grace!