Dr. Chuen Wong, a leader in the community, passed away peacefully Oct. 5, 2018. He was not only a well-known Optometrist in the area, he was also a pillar in the community. Dr.Wong made Winlock his home and he loved not only the area but his patients who came to see him.
He was born in China Sept. 10, 1933. When he was one month old, his parents brought him to the United States of America and they eventually settled in the Seattle area. Dr Wong attended Garfield High School, where he received his diploma after finishing high school in three years. He then attended College of Optometry in Forest Grove, Ore., where he graduated with honors with a Doctor of Optometry degree.
In 1957, Dr. Wong came to Winlock where he purchased an optometry practice. In 1959, he was drafted into the United States Army as a military optometrist with the rank as captain and chief at Munson Army Hospital in Fort Leavenworth, Kan. He was later given the responsibility of commander of medical evaluation team and subsequently received the Army Commendation Medal.
Dr. Wong was discharged from the Army in 1962, while in Okinawa, Japan. After his service in the Army, he took two months off to travel. In Hong Kong, China, he met Rosanna, his future wife and love of his life. In 1962, Dr. Wong returned to Winlock and continued his practice in optometry. In 1963, Rosanna and Dr. Chuen Wong were married in Seattle. They enjoyed 55 years of marriage.
His service brought him into membership in key associations, as well as consultancy and advisory services to civic groups when needed. He was an active member of the Olympic Optometric Society, holding various positions and voted in as president from 1968 to 1970. Other involvements through his busy career were in the National Eye Research Foundation, Optometric Extension, Continuing Education and research in Vision, Area Advisory Board, Home Health Visiting Nurses, Assured Home Health Agency, Lewis and Thurston Counties American Optometric Association, Washington State Board of Optometry, Association of Board of Examiners in Optometry, Governor Task Force on Catastrophic Health Care insurance and many others.
He was selected “Optometrist of the Year Award” in 1973 by the Olympic Profession Society, followed later by being selected as the “ Doctor of Optometry of the Year” for 1989-1990 by Washington State Optometric Association; and Honor Life Member of American Optometric Foundation. His active career included several keynote and featured presentations at various associations and colleges at the State Board of Optometry, post-graduate education meetings, Olympic Professional Society, College of Optometry at University of California at Berkeley; Dean’s Convocation and College of Optometry in Forest Grove, Ore. He was a member of Winlock Lions Club and South County Chamber as well.
Most notable for Winlock and the surrounding area was Dr. Wong’s establishment of the Optometric Clinic as the only Optometrist through the life of the clinic. After several years of rented space, he was able to secure property and build a new office in 1975. Dr. Wong’s love for Winlock and the surrounding communities made him a key asset to the community. Efforts are being made to continue Dr. Wong’s Clinic with a new optometrist.
Dr. Wong is survived by Rosanna; son, Lance and his wife, Melinda along with their four children, Aden, Lana, Beckham and Briella Wong. He is also survived by six siblings, Dr. Guy Wong of Palo Alto, Calif., Maegen Chew of Seattle, Wash., Dr. Carl Wong of Sarasota, Fla., Mary Lo of Bellevue, Wash., Dr. Sam Wong of Alameda, Calif., and Mabel Yip of Redmond, Wash.; along with numerous nieces and nephews.
A celebration of life will be held Saturday, Oct. 13, 2018, at 2 p.m., at the United Methodist Church, 107 NW Benton Ave., Winlock, Wash.
Directions are under the care of Fir Lawn Funeral Chapel in Toledo, Wash.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to your favorite church or charity.
Due to limited to parking, additional parking will be available on NW Kerron St. between Walnut and Fir, also known as “The Plaza” and across the street from Grinders Coffee. There will also be parking available at Winlock Miller Elementary School.
