Shium Chen

Shium Andrew Chen, 89, passed away peacefully in Pleasanton, Calif., on Sunday, April 18, 2021.

Andy was born on Sept. 17, 1931, in Xin Hua, Jiangsu Province, China. He was the son to Chen Tan and Hu Quison, immigrating to the United States in 1954. He married Veronica Ling Koo on Aug. 29, 1964, and together they raised three children while residing in Butler.

Andy received his Ph.D. from the University of Pittsburgh in 1970, M.A. from Teachers College, Columbia University in 1962, M.S. from University of Oregon in 1956 and B.S. from Taiwan Normal University in 1953. For 36 years, he was a Professor of Counseling and Educational Psychology at Slippery Rock University where he also served as Department Chairman. He was an elected Fellow of the American Psychological Association.

In addition to being a scholar, Andy was a passionate advocate for Chinese and Asian American causes. Having devoted much of his life to social justice, he held numerous leadership roles including National President of the Organization of Chinese Americans, President of the Asian American Psychological Association, and Chairman of the Pennsylvania Asian American Advisory Council Heritage Affairs Commission. In 2017, Andy published his life’s memoir, “My Journey to Becoming Chinese American.”

Andy’s interests and tastes reflected his assimilation as a Chinese American. As much as he enjoyed Chinese food, mahjong and reciting Chinese proverbs, he equally enjoyed fishing, Steelers football and playing bridge.

Andy was a loving and dedicated husband and father always at the center of the family. Though mild in manner, he was known for his indomitable strength of character, wisdom-filled speeches and his kind and compassionate spirit.

Andy was preceded in death by his mother and father, two sisters and five brothers.

He is survived by his wife, Veronica; his three children and their spouses, Thomas (Angela), Herald (Mei) and Andrea (Hartwell Lin); and his eight grandchildren, Alexander, Avery, Benjamin, Henry, Katherine, Julia, Victoria and Sydney.

Chen — A family-only funeral service for Shium Andrew Chen, who died Sunday, April 18, 2021, will be held at 10 a.m. PST Saturday, April 24, 2021. Friends of the family will be invited to observe virtually.

Memorials can be made to Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center or Stop AAPI Hate.

Arrangements are under the direction of Graham-Hitch Mortuary.