Edward Won Sik Sunu

Edward Won-Sik Sunu, age 83 of La Habra, California, passed away surrounded by family on January 27, 2023. He was born in Seoul, South Korea on June 22, 1939 to Hyun Sunu and Kum Dong (Song) Sunu. He graduated in 1956 from Paichai High School (est. in 1885), the oldest Christian educational institution founded by missionaries. He continued his education and graduated from one of the most prestigious Universities in Korea (est. in 1816), The School of Pharmacy at Chun-Ang University in 1962. He is survived by his wife, Katherine; their children Sandy (and Steven), John (and Zulema), and Karen (and Rowel); 10 grandchildren, Carolyn, Chaney, Erick, Derek, Jason, Kai, Kaitlyn, Jack, Eli, and Joan. He is also survived by his brothers and their families; Won Seok (Yang-Soon, Elaine, Tina, Ken), Won Chul (Judy, Richard and James), Won Guen (Myung Ja, Andrew, Cathy, Mike and Elizabeth), Won Ha (Song-Suk, Aaron, Borrah, Bryan and Hannah), and Won Jin (Jae Jung, Justin and Shawn); and was a great-uncle to 11 children. He and Katherine are responsible for inviting and growing the Sunu/Lee family legacy with over 66 members strong in the U.S. today.

Edward had a passion for electrical engineering. His first encounter with electronics was in junior high school. He self-studied electronics and electrical engineering through articles and publications and built his first radio using schematics that he purchased along with the parts. In high school, he was one of the founding members who established the high school’s broadcasting group, equipping them with the set up and necessary tools to broadcast campus wide. Despite his talents in electronics, he was strongly encouraged by his father to pursue a career in a healthcare/medical related field. This degree positioned him for his first job with a Korean pharmaceutical company then ultimately becoming an entrepreneur opening his own practice as a pharmacist for five (5) years.

While attending university, Edward met his wife Katherine (Sook-Ja Lee) Sunu, a registered nurse in South Korea. Edward and Katherine married in 1965 and had their first child (Sandy) in 1967. Seeking opportunities, Edward, Katherine, then eight (8) months pregnant and their young daughter ventured to the United States with nothing more than a rice cooker, three (3) chopsticks and $300. Within a month of immigrating to the States, their second child (John) was born. Working in tandem, Edward and Katherine did whatever odd jobs they could find to manage their depleting finances while waiting for papers, licenses and attended night school to learn English as they built their new lives.

Edward could not forget his love for electronics. He received an Engineer-In-Training (EIT) Certificate and began a 20+ year career with the XEROX Corporation in El Segundo, CA. After retiring, he used his knowledge base and turned entrepreneurial as he opened the doors to a new business. He started Engineering Test and Assembly Corporation (ETAC), a service provided to the circuit board industry. ETAC was recognized and highly regarded by the printed circuit board (PCB) manufacturers in the Southern California area. Many addressed Edward as Dr. Sunu as he was one of the few who could find and resolved issues within a multi-layer board as thick as 150 layers, saving hundreds, if not thousands of dollars per unit. For many years, his service was in high demand and operated 24x7.

For fun, you would find Edward making new inventions, such as irrigation systems, mosquito repellent system or adding lights to play with music. He had a talent for using his spatial skills and using his hands which kept him busy working on cars, the house, building storage cabinets, instruments and tools. Wherever there was a problem, he came up with a solution. For hobbies, he enjoyed camping and fishing with his family.

A private service and burial to lay Edward Sunu to rest will be held for family only at Rose Hill Memorial Park and Mortuaries.

Please send condolences to:

Katherine Sunu

c/o Sandy Sunu-Lieberman

11 Spectrum Pointe Drive

Lake Forest, CA 92630

[email protected]

If you would like to reach the family, please contact:

Sandy Sunu-Lieberman (949) 939-8923 (English Speaking) or

Won Jin Sunu (714) 915-9200 (Korean Speaking)