Chester Chih-Chuan Hsia was born in Wenzhou, China on November 4, 1928. He was the eldest son in a family of twelve children. In his childhood, his hometown was invaded three times by the Japanese military. Each time the population retreated to the nearby mountains to escape the air raids and fighting in the city. The pursuing aircrafts dropping grenades onto the fleeing citizens left an indelible impression in his young mind and shaped his career choice.
In 1946, he joined the Chinese Air Force Aviation Technology Academy. His father, a scholar and a land and business owner, foresaw the family’s turbulent times ahead and encouraged him to leave. In the ensuing revolution of 1948-1949, he followed the Air Force Academy relocation to Taiwan.
In 1955 he married Yvonne I-Fen Chen. By 1965, they had grown their family with three children. He rose to the officer rank of Lieutenant Colonel, and discovered his aptitude for Chinese-English translation.
After retiring from the Air Force, he worked for Taiwan Ampex Technology, Inc. as the manager of the printed circuit board division. It was with tremendous foresight, courage, and sacrifice, that he gave up a successful career in computer engineering to emigrate to Canada in 1970, settling in Toronto in 1971. He continued a career in power engineering, while simultaneously working as a certified translator and raising his family.
In 1983, he was finally able to visit Wenzhou, reuniting with his mother and siblings after 37 years of separation. Sadly, his beloved father had long before perished in a forced labor camp in northeast China.
Retiring in 1993, Chester continued his translation business until his health declined in recent years, although his indomitable spirit, resilience, and devotion to family and friends remained undiminished. He was 97 years of age at his passing.
Chester is deeply missed by his loving wife of 70 years Yvonne, daughter Connie and son-in-law Orson Moe, son Terrence and his partner Alison Yu, son Stanley, grandson Borren Hsia Moe, and granddaughters Kyrene Hsia Moe and Lara Hsia.