Peter Pei-Yu Chao
1925 - 2022
Send Flowers
Plant A Tree
Share Peter Pei-Yu Chao's obituary with others.
Invite friends and family to read the obituary and add memories.
Share Peter Pei-Yu Chao's obituary with others.
Invite friends and family to read the obituary and add memories.
Peter Pei-Yu Chao passed away Thursday, October 20, 2022, in Alhambra Hospital Medical Center, after a short illness. He was 97 years old. His wife of 61 years, Cecilia Chao (née Fang), was at his bedside when he passed. In keeping with his wishes, his body was removed by Universal Chung Wah Funeral Directors and cremated after a private viewing by only immediate family members.
Born February 14, 1925 in Linfen, Shanxi, China, Peter was one of three children, with one older sister and one younger brother.
He received a medical degree from National Shansi University School of Medicine. He emigrated to the United States in 1949, becoming an intern at Fairview Park Hospital, Cleveland, OH. He first specialized in ophthalmology and conducted research at Stanford and Northwestern, authoring several influential ophthalmological research papers.
In 1961, he married Cecilia Fang, a dietitian, in New York City. Together they had two sons, Tom and Robert. The Chao family lived first in Albany, then Rochester, and then Buffalo, NY. In 1972, Peter became a board-certified anesthesiologist in New York State. He moved his family to Des Moines, IA, where he worked at Veterans Administration Medical Center as Chief of Anesthesiology for many years. In 2000, Peter retired to Monterey Park, CA, with his wife, where he spent the remainder of his years.
Peter had a strong belief in Christianity and always credited his faith in Jesus in helping him emigrate to the United States. He was a spiritual person who spent much time reading his Bible, listening to hymns, and watching religious television programs.
In later years, he enjoyed reading the Los Angeles Times, walking daily and conversing with neighbors, viewing Beijing operas and classic films at home, and watching Jeopardy! He enjoyed animals and kept fish and birds as pets in earlier years.
He is survived by his wife, Cecilia Chao, and two sons, Tom Chao of New York City and Robert Chao of Monterey Park, CA. Also surviving him are his brother Zhao Pei-Ying and sister-in-law of Beijing, China, along with many nephews, nieces, grand-nieces and -nephews, and great-grand-nieces and -nephews, along with a step-brother, Zhao Pei-Hua, a half-brother, and a step-sister.
Born February 14, 1925 in Linfen, Shanxi, China, Peter was one of three children, with one older sister and one younger brother.
He received a medical degree from National Shansi University School of Medicine. He emigrated to the United States in 1949, becoming an intern at Fairview Park Hospital, Cleveland, OH. He first specialized in ophthalmology and conducted research at Stanford and Northwestern, authoring several influential ophthalmological research papers.
In 1961, he married Cecilia Fang, a dietitian, in New York City. Together they had two sons, Tom and Robert. The Chao family lived first in Albany, then Rochester, and then Buffalo, NY. In 1972, Peter became a board-certified anesthesiologist in New York State. He moved his family to Des Moines, IA, where he worked at Veterans Administration Medical Center as Chief of Anesthesiology for many years. In 2000, Peter retired to Monterey Park, CA, with his wife, where he spent the remainder of his years.
Peter had a strong belief in Christianity and always credited his faith in Jesus in helping him emigrate to the United States. He was a spiritual person who spent much time reading his Bible, listening to hymns, and watching religious television programs.
In later years, he enjoyed reading the Los Angeles Times, walking daily and conversing with neighbors, viewing Beijing operas and classic films at home, and watching Jeopardy! He enjoyed animals and kept fish and birds as pets in earlier years.
He is survived by his wife, Cecilia Chao, and two sons, Tom Chao of New York City and Robert Chao of Monterey Park, CA. Also surviving him are his brother Zhao Pei-Ying and sister-in-law of Beijing, China, along with many nephews, nieces, grand-nieces and -nephews, and great-grand-nieces and -nephews, along with a step-brother, Zhao Pei-Hua, a half-brother, and a step-sister.
To order memorial trees or send flowers to the family in memory of Peter Pei-Yu Chao, please visit our flower store.
Peter Pei-Yu Chao's Guestbook
Visits: 14
This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the
Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply.
Service map data © OpenStreetMap contributors