Patrick Chung-Shu Kung

Patrick Chung-Shu Kung was born in Nanjing, China on July 10, 1947, the second eldest of four surviving children. When he was an infant, his family fled the mainland and resettled in Kaohsiung, Taiwan. His childhood in rural Taiwan was marked by poverty but full of simple pleasures. In 1968, he graduated first in his cohort from Fu Jen University in Taipei. In 1969, Patrick arrived in California to pursue his Ph.D. at U.C. Berkeley. At age 24, he headed for MIT and a postdoctoral fellowship with Nobel laureate David Baltimore.

While a researcher at Johnson & Johnson, Patrick discovered OKT3, a monoclonal antibody that blocks the generation and function of certain white blood cells. OKT3 (trade name Muromonab-CD3) was approved by the U.S. FDA in 1986. For the next 25 years, Muromonab was the standard treatment worldwide for reducing rejection in patients with major organ transplants, saving countless lives. His other work contributed to the diagnosis of AIDS progression, blood cancers, and immune disorders. Patrick was named a W.H.O. Scholar Lecturer in Immunology at Beijing Medical University in 1985, received an Achievement Award from the Chinese Institute of Engineers in 1988 and a Citation from the U.S. Senate in 1991.

Patrick served as CEO and a Board Director of PhytoCeutica, Inc. in New Haven, CT from 1999 to 2003, Founder and Executive Vice President of T Cell Sciences in Cambridge, MA from 1984 to 1996, and Vice President of Research of Centocor Inc. in Malvern, PA from 1981 to 1984. He served on the Executive Board of the College of Letters and Science at U.C. Berkeley from 1989 to 1991.

He served on our school boards in the Boston and Los Angeles area and was an active and engaged husband, father, and grandfather with a lively interest in travel, food, music, and culture. From 2001, Patrick lived in southern California with his beloved wife, Lu Yie, who passed away in October 2021, his step-son Charles Shen, his step daughter-in-law, Sara Huang, and his treasured step-grandchildren Aden Shen, Jacob Shen, and Chloe Shen. He is survived by his siblings, Chung Wu, Wei Ping, and Wei Shin, his children, Julia Kung and Calvin Kung, and his grandchildren, Auri Burke and Declan Burke.

Funeral Services Schedule:

1:00 - 2:30 - Viewing and incense burning at Hua Yuan

2:30 - 4:00 - Speeches and contemplation at Hua Yuan

4:30 - Burial

*Services will be livestreamed, link to come.

If you'd like to send flowers, we suggest using the family florist, Michael, at 626-588-8848. Please tell Michael Patrick's name, the time, date, and that the funeral is at Hua Yuan. (Alternatively, you may also use the Rose Hills florist link below). If you are arriving from out of town to attend the services, please let Julia know at [email protected]. We may try to arrange a meal after the burial.