Obituary of Sze-Foo Chien

Sze-Foo Chien was born on August 17, 1929, in Hangzhou, China. His family emigrated to Taiwan shortly before the Communist establishment of the People’s Republic of China. He received his bachelor’s degree from Taiwan University and was a proud and active alumnus all his life. Soon after finishing his undergraduate studies he came to the United States for graduate school. He received his Ph.D. in Mechanical Engineering in 1961 from the University of Minnesota. While acclimating to his new life in the United States, he continued to enjoy Chinese brush painting and calligraphy, singing, and cooking. He excelled in these hobbies, and earned the title of “best cook” among all his friends.

While at the U of M, he met Chiu-Ying Wong, another student from China. From this very first meeting he determined that he would marry her. He was a kind but persistent suitor and eventually won. After their marriage, the young couple moved to Houston, Texas, their home for the next 54 years, to accept a position with The Texas Company (“Texaco”). During his career, Texaco sent him around the world to lecture on his specialities, including fluid dynamics. He was also the creator of many patents for Texaco.

In his prime years, Sze-Foo was a serious and dedicated runner and swimmer. He was also an inventor, creating the Furcula Dental cleaning fork. Retiring in 1994, he travelled to many places with his wife. In 2015 he began a slow decline and the couple moved back to Minnesota to be near family. Sze-Foo died at peace at last, December 4, 2021 in Edina, MN at the age of 92. Survived by his wife, Chiu-Ying Wong Chien, daughter and son-in-law Julia Chien and David Roush, grandsons, Karl and Alan Roush, and his son and daughter-in-law Lawrence and Jane Chien, granddaughters, Victoria and Sydney Chien.