CHUNG Phan Shun, “Robert”, age 79, passed away peacefully on the afternoon of Thursday, 14 July 2022 after battling with Parkinsons. Robert was born on 29 December 1942 in Calcutta, West Bengal India, to CHUNG Yuen Seen, “John” and FONG Nyo, “Hao Fung Lan”, a custom leather shoemaker and a home maker. He was one of 7 children and lived his early years in Agra, Uttar Pradesh, India where his Father owned and operated his own shoe shop. Unfortunately, Robert and his siblings were orphaned at a young age after both his parents succumbed to lung cancer in their 50s. With minimal education, only a few rupees and younger siblings to care for, Robert moved back to Calcutta and started an apprenticeship in his late teens with General Electric, training in radio and electronics and later joined Siemens. In Calcutta, Robert boarded with the family of LIU Hsi Tai and met the love of his life, LIU Shan Chen, “San Chen”. Their first movie date was “The Sound of Music” and it remained a favourite movie of theirs for years to come. Robert and San Chen married on 21 st July 1968 in Calcutta and later moved to Hong Kong. In Hong Kong, Robert continued to develop his career in electronics, working first for Motorola, then Scragg and later Zeiss, where he was trained to service some of the world’s first medical lasers. In 1973, Robert and San Chen had a son, Arthur. With his career, Robert had opportunities to travel to the UK, Japan, Taiwan, the USA, Canada and New Zealand. Despite having built a successful career in Hong Kong, Robert decided after just one visit that New Zealand would be a better place to raise a family. In early September 1979, Robert, San Chen and young Arthur boarded a plane bound for Auckland, New Zealand. This was an extremely courageous move as they had no family or friends in New Zealand. In November 1979, Robert and San Chen’s second son, Gilbert, was born. Robert and San Chen were blessed with a third son, Henry, in August 1985. Robert and his family settled in East Auckland where he continued to work with various companies as an electronic technician before going out on his own in his 50s servicing and calibrating instruments under the trading name RC Instruments. From his challenging upbringing, Robert was an avid learner and a hard worker – always seeking to better himself. He had a humble, easy going, approachable and loyal character, always remembering those who
had helped him along the way and giving back when he could. Together with San Chen, he worked hard to instil these values in their three sons. At home, Robert was a family man and a handy man. He loved working with his hands and tools, building
and fixing things, and he was a master kite builder (and kite pilot). Sadly, his beloved wife San Chen passed away in February 2007 at the age of 56 after a short battle with pancreatic cancer. The loss of his wife was hard on Robert but he did find great joy in his grandchildren. He loved each of them dearly. Robert will be greatly missed by his loved ones, in New Zealand and abroad. We take heart that he is in a better place now, reunited with San Chen. Robert is survived by his sons, Arthur, Gilbert and Henry, his daughters-in-law, Mary, Kelleigh and Ranyi; his grandchildren, Danielle, Jett, Casey, Mikayla, Ayrton, Asher, Liam and Ezra Marc; his brother Stephen and his sisters Chai Yuen, Sim Yuen and Shirley. He is preceded in death by his wife San Chen, his brother Phillip, his second eldest sister, and his parents. Robert is being cremated as per his wishes and his immediate family will be having a private family gathering in remembrance of him. In lieu of flowers, donations to either UNICEF, an organisation devoted to helping disadvantaged children; or Parkinson’s New Zealand, a charitable trust whose mission to provide information, education and support to those suffering from Parkinson’s disease, would be deeply appreciated.