Obituary of Gordon Chen

Gordon Kowa Cheng Chen PhD, PEng (retired)

1929 - 2026

Gordon died peacefully on February 8th 2026.

Survived by his children Robert (Sylvie Lemay), Lisa Stanley (Scott) and his grandchildren Téo, Liam (Yara), Jean-Benoit and Calla, his niece Stella Wang (Harris), extended family in China,  as well as by his ex-wife Joyce Chen, ex fiancée Muriel Friedl and his girlfriend Natalie Winters.

Born in China, Gordon completed his undergraduate training in electrical engineering at the National Cheng Kung University in Taiwan.  He travelled to the U.S. to complete a masters degree in engineering (Notre Dame) followed by a masters degree in mathematics (St. Louis).  He completed his PhD at the State University of New York in Buffalo.  Work brought him to Canada.   He worked as an electrical engineer in radio/communications and then as an electrical engineering technology teacher at Northern College in Kirkland Lake. The family moved to Welland where he finished his teaching career at Niagara College. In retirement he did consulting work including being a Canadian representative at the International Electrotechnical Commission (IEC), allowing him to travel the world.  He was a recipient of the Institute of electrical and electronics engineers (IEEE) centennial medal and the IEC 1904 award for his contributions.

Gordon lived for today and for the “party”.  He was an extremely social being who in retirement travelled well into his 90s and served as a dance host on cruises. He loved ballroom dancing and enjoyed collecting and drinking wine.

The family wishes to acknowledge the good care rendered by the Chartwell teams at New Edinburgh Square, the Duke of Devonshire and Rockcliffe Retirement residences in Ottawa.

A private memorial will take place at a future date.

In lieu of flowers, donations in honour of Gordon can be made to the Canadian Red Cross.