Mr. Duncan Ta-Chien Wang's Obituary
Duncan passed away peacefully at home with his family at his side on June 28, 2022, at the age of 100. Beloved husband of Jean; loving father of Timothy (Julia), Edward (Suzanne); loving grandfather of Eric, Hannah, Abbey and Maggie.
Duncan was born December 24, 1921, to a prominent family in Guoyang (渦陽縣), Anhui Province (安徽省), China. After the Japanese invasion of China in 1937, Duncan moved to Chenggu (城固縣) in Shaanxi Province (陝西省) where he attended The National Northwest University (國立西北聯合大學) majoring in Political Science. Also, that is where he met his future wife, Jean.
In 1949, just before China fell to the Communists during the Chinese Civil War, Duncan and Jean were lucky enough to escape to Taiwan with several close relatives. In April 1949, Duncan and Jean got married. A year later, their first son Timothy was born, followed three years later, by second son Edward.
While in Taiwan, because Duncan’s excellent education in traditional Chinese literature and history, he supported the family by teaching the Chinese language, eventually as a professor at the National Taiwan Normal University (國立臺灣師範大學).
In 1968, through sponsorship by Jean’s brother James and his wife Mary, both medical doctors in the United States, Duncan’s family of four immigrated to the U.S. They first settled in Chicago where they ran a highly successful restaurant - Chinese Tea House. Through hard work, they were able to put both Timothy and Edward through college and medical school.
In 1991, Duncan and Jean retired and moved to San Jose, CA to be close to their sons and grandchildren. They enjoyed the weather and natural environment of California and did a lot of travelling. They have visited many parts of the world as well as their old hometowns in China and Taiwan.
Duncan was a dedicated Christian and family man with an easy going, optimistic personality that we will miss and cherish forever.
What’s your fondest memory of Duncan?
What’s a lesson you learned from Duncan?
Share a story where Duncan's kindness touched your heart.
Describe a day with Duncan you’ll never forget.
How did Duncan make you smile?
