Chiu Lin Tse-Chan passed away peacefully on July 18, 2024, surrounded by her family, after a year-long battle with lung cancer. She is survived by her daughter, Jean, son-in-law, Scott and three grandchildren, Kaylee, Loree and Sophee.

Chiu Lin was born in Zhangjiang, Guangdong, China on September 29, 1936. Due to Communism, her family had to separate and flee to other parts of China. She went on to live in Guangzhou where she finished Primary School and met her future husband, Hing Wan. She was able to finish Secondary School in Beijing and became the school’s Ping Pong Champion. She continued her university education in Tiayuan, Shanxi, China but never finished. Together with her husband, they moved to Hong Kong to reunite with her mother, where she found a job and took night classes. In 1968, she immigrated to the United States to meet with her younger brother, Chi Kin, who was attending Brown University. She would then reunite with lifelong Hong Kong friends in San Francisco where she would make her permanent residence and build her life. Chiu Lin was even able to sponsor her mother, older brother, Chi Kueng and his family to join her in the United States. Devoid of a formal architecture background, her passion for it grew and was able to begin a career at Anshen and Allen Architects, where she would meet co-founder, David Fong.

Fong & Chan Architects [FCA] was founded in August of 1982 by Chiu Lin and David when they decided to build a firm that encompassed mentorship of junior staff, rigorous quality control, and excellent relationship with clients and surrounding community. In 2001, Chiu Lin was nominated and unanimously inducted into the Fellow of the American Institute of Architects [FAIA]. Under her and David’s leadership, FCA received numerous local and national design awards for prestigious projects like De Young Museum and Zuckerberg San Francisco General Hospital. FCA was recently selected as the Top 2023 Architect in Architecture Design/Healthcare Architecture in San Francisco and Best Master Planning Services. With her drive, confidence, honesty and dedication, she took FCA to great heights.

Chiu Lin’s journey touched the lives of many, leaving behind cherished memories and a legacy of strength and resilience. She will be greatly missed by family, friends and colleagues - all who knew her to be extraordinarily generous, thoughtful, strong and an incredible mentor and leader.

Chiu Lin requested a cremation and that her ashes be scattered in the San Francisco Bay. Per Chiu Lin’s wish, there will be no service held.

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