Douglas Chun's Obituary
Artist Douglas Chun passed away on Maui, Friday June 2, 2017, after a brief illness.
Douglas is survived by his wife, H. Janet Chun and his children, from his previous
marriage to Suzanne Chun; Alex Chun and his wife Gaynor Strachan Chun; Bonnie
Chun Bennett and her children, Alex, Duncan, and Cooper Bennett; Jackie Chun and
her husband, Tom Pontino. Douglas’s youngest child, Philip Chun predeceased him.
Additionally, Douglas is survived by his wife, H. Janet Chun’s children, by her previous
marriage; daughter Brenda Lam and her children Max, Kendall and Meika McCready
and daughter Deanna Lam and her husband Scott Steinberg and their children, Logan
and Ryan Steinberg.
Douglas is also survived by his brothers Francis Chun (Los Angeles), Stephen Chun
(Honolulu), David Gwong Chun (Los Angeles) and sister Kum Yan (Los Angeles) and
their spouses, children, and grandchildren.
Born in Guangzhou, China, Douglas came to the United States at the age of 16 and
began a lifelong pursuit of his passion for art, first at the Honolulu Academy of Arts (now
the Honolulu Museum of Art) and then the San Francisco Art Institute. After 2 years of
military service, he embarked on a career in commercial art.
Upon his retirement from Chun/ Ishimaru, his architectural illustration firm, based in San
Francisco, serving clients worldwide, Douglas returned to his love of painting and
furthered his romance of the vine; wine country landscapes being his initial focus. He
and Janet relocated to Maui, in 1992, after their home was lost in the 1991 Berkeley/
Oakland Firestorm.
Douglas was a gentle soul with a warm presence who spoke expressively through his
art work. He was much loved and is sorely missed by his family and friends.
You are welcome to make a donation in his memory to the charity of your choice. Janet
and the Chun Family deeply appreciates your generosity and support.
What’s your fondest memory of Douglas?
What’s a lesson you learned from Douglas?
Share a story where Douglas' kindness touched your heart.
Describe a day with Douglas you’ll never forget.
How did Douglas make you smile?