Byong Uk Chung

On April 28, Byong Uk Chung, M.D., of Boca Grande, Florida and formerly of Barrington Hills, Illinois, passed away peacefully after a long illness. He was born on October 20, 1934, in Seoul, South Korea.

Dr. Chung graduated from Kyungi High School in 1949 and did his pre-medical studies at Seoul National University. While at Seoul National University, he was recognized by his professors and recommended for a scholarship to study medicine in the United States. While majoring in chemistry at Lewis and Clark College in Portland, Oregon, he met the love of his life, Myung Soon Woo, who was there earning her Masters degree in vocal performance.

He obtained his Doctor of Medicine (M.D.) degree from Oregon Health and Science University, Portland, Oregon, in 1961 and completed his General Surgery training and Neurosurgery Residency at Northwestern University (Feinberg School of Medicine) in Evanston and Chicago, Illinois.

In 1967, Dr. Chung joined a private neurosurgery practice in Elgin, Illinois. He grew the practice, joining the staffs of several hospitals in Elgin and the northwest suburbs, and serving and saving thousands of lives for over 40 years. In 1993, his son, Young, also a neurosurgeon, joined his practice.

Dr. Chung’s passion was teaching. He focused on volunteer trips to many countries, teaching and performing neurosurgery.

He and his wife, Myung Soon, lovingly raised Mimi, Young, Julia and Joseph (Joe). He instilled in them respect for others, a strong work ethic, curiosity, a love of nature, music and sports, and above all, a sense of humor.

Dr. Chung was a natural born athlete, excelling in tennis and golf. After immigrating to the Pacific Northwest, he taught himself how to ski, ice-skate and water-ski. He also loved boating, scuba diving and fishing. He appreciated music of all genres and taught himself how to play the piano and harmonica. He loved to sing and dance; he and Myung Soon would rock the dance floor with everything from the “twist” to the “tango”.

Byong Uk was preceded in death by his parents, his brother Byong Yull, and daughter-in-law Kristen. He is survived by his sister, Byong Sook; his brothers, Byung Suk and Byong Chan; his loving wife, Myung Soon; his children, Mimi Chung, M.D. (Paul Kwo, M.D.), Young, Julia (Fred Pierce), and Joe (Lucy); and his fourteen grandchildren, Sean, Alec, Peter, Sabrina, Elizabeth, Ian, Cameron, Miles, Gabriella, Nathan, Istvan, Evangeline, Stefania and Cecily.

A memorial “Celebration of Life” for Dr. Byong Uk Chung will be held on August 25, 2018, from 3pm until 6pm. Details regarding the location can be obtained by emailing buchungmemorial@gmail.com

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to The Boston Foundation (75 Arlington St., Boston, MA 02116, www.tbf.org) memo: the Byong Uk Chung Memorial Fund, which supports scholarships and charities designated by Dr. Chung, or to the charity of your choice.