Ray Chenhsu Chang

Ray was born on April 27, 1974 in Brooklyn, NY, the middle of three children, to parents who had immigrated from Taiwan to pursue their PhDs in chemistry. As a child, Ray's love for science and life was already apparent. He spent his childhood roaming the streets of Brooklyn and Manhattan with his buddies, riding the subways, foiling muggers, lighting rockets, unofficially joining the military and participating in and winning city science fairs for his inventions. Ray attended Stuyvesant High School in Manhattan where he was part of the wrestling team and the city wide champion his senior year. He went on to graduate Cornell University with a degree in Biological Engineering and earned a Master Degree in Chemical Engineering at the University of Delaware before attending USC's Keck School of Medicine. He completed his otolaryngology residency at the University of Miami / Jackson Memorial Hospital, followed by a sleep surgery fellowship at Stanford University. Ray began his career as an Ears, Nose, Throat specialist in the Head and Neck surgery department for Kaiser. He was a dedicated physician, well-respected and loved by his colleagues and patients. Ray had a passion and love for learning, which was reflected not only in his academic pursuits but in the life he shared with his family, especially when it came to being a father. He was extraordinary in that he did not let his battle with cancer define or alter the course of his life. Ray was selfless and endured the physical challenges with amazing grit and courage. He continued to work for many years through his treatments to ensure that his family would always be taken care of, and most of all, he was an extraordinarily present and involved father and husband. Ray loved to spend time with his three children, taking them on long bike rides, hikes, camping out in the backyard to watch meteor showers, attending every game or meet, playing baseball with his son, and showing them that life is amazing, to never take anything for granted. Ray fought hard, loved and lived life to the fullest. On July 26, 2023, Ray passed away, surrounded by his family, as he had wished. He will forever be loved and missed.