Gordon Kowa Cheng Chen PhD, PEng (retired)

Gordon Kowa Cheng Chen PhD, PEng (retired) passed away on February 8, 2026, at the age of 97. He is survived by his children, Robert (Sylvie Lemay) and Lisa Stanley (Scott); his grandchildren, Téo, Liam (Yara), Jean-Benoit and Calla; his niece, Stella Wang (Harris); extended family in China; as well as by his ex-wife, Joyce Chen; ex-fiancée, Muriel Friedl; and his girlfriend, Natalie Winters. Born in China, Gordon completed his undergraduate training in electrical engineering at the National Cheng Kung University in Taiwan. He travelled to the US to complete a masters degree in engineering (Notre Dame) followed by a masters degree in mathematics (St. Louis). He completed his PhD at the State University of New York in Buffalo. Work brought him to Canada. He worked as an electrical engineer in radio/communications and then as an electrical engineering technology teacher at Northern College in Kirkland Lake. The family moved to Welland, where he finished his teaching career at Niagara College. In retirement, he did consulting work, including serving as a Canadian representative at the International Electrotechnical Commission (IEC), allowing him to travel the world. He was a recipient of the Institute of electrical and electronics engineers (IEEE) centennial medal and the IEC 1904 award for his contributions. Gordon lived for today and for the "party." He was an extremely social being, who in retirement travelled well into his 90s and served as a dance host on cruises. He loved ballroom dancing and enjoyed collecting and drinking wine. A private memorial will take place at a future date. In lieu of flowers, donations in honour of Gordon can be made to the Canadian Red Cross.