David L. Chung

In the early morning of Sunday, August 9, 2026, we lost our dear brother, uncle, and friend, David Lugard Chung, just two short weeks after his diagnosis of cancer and more than 80 years after we were blessed to have him enter our lives.

David was born on November 4, 1945, at Georgetown Hospital in British Guiana. He was the fifth of seven children born to James and Priscilla Chung. At the age of 19, David moved to Canada to live with his sisters and pursue higher education. His interest in becoming a radiology technician eventually led him to Minneapolis, Minnesota, where he met his wife and planted his roots for more than 50 years.

David married Barbara Larson of Elk Mound, Wisconsin, and they were united in marriage on June 28, 1969. Together, they purchased their forever home on Pleasant Avenue in Minneapolis. Their neighbors and friends soon became family, and the “Welcome” sign was always out at the Chung home. There, you could count on picnics, games, interesting conversation, and, of course, a good home-cooked meal!

Dave and Barb loved traveling together to visit friends and family in Canada, Alaska, Ohio, and along the West Coast. They also spent several retirement years enjoying the warm weather in Florida. In 2019, after decades of wearing a path down I-94 to visit their Larson relatives in Wisconsin, David and Barbara moved to Menomonie, WI.

While working as a hydrogen specialist in the Biochemistry Department and as a part-time employee at the University of Minnesota, David discovered an interest in a new career path. If anyone had found their true calling, it was David Chung in the University of Minnesota Facilities Management Department.

David worked his way up from Ventilation General Mechanic to Operations Supervisor, eventually overseeing hundreds of U of M Facilities Staff across multiple campus locations. Continuing education was always important to David. He consistently took night classes and earned every certification he could to better understand his work and excel at his job. For more than 30 years, David enjoyed the challenges of each new project he would encounter working at the University. Every minute could become a story to tell in David Chung’s life, and David always seemed to have one ready to share.

After retirement, David continued his love of maintenance by working on his and Barbara’s rental properties, volunteering on Habitat for Humanity trips, and helping anyone who needed a handyman. If something needed fixing, David was usually happy to lend a hand.

David had a deep faith and a genuine love for his fellow man. If you met David once, he would remember you for life—and you could be sure that, the next time he saw you, he would ask how you were doing. David had a remarkable way of making people feel known, welcomed, and cared for. His stories, his generosity, his curiosity, and his ever-present willingness to help will be deeply missed.

David is survived by his loving brothers and sisters, Daphne (Milton) Hamblin and Terry Chung of Ohio; Jimmy Chung of England; Gertrude (Tony) DaCamara and Evanson Chung of Canada; his in-laws, brother Douglas (Ann) Larson; niece Laura (Steve) Lecheler; and nephew Kurt (Carrie Ponto) Larson of Menomonie; as well as many nieces and nephews around the country, of whom he was so proud.

David was preceded in death by his beloved wife of 54 years, Barbara in 2024; his parents; his loving sister, Jean Chung; sisters-in-law Joan and Milu; and his two faithful furry companions, Fancy and Suki.

In lieu of flowers or a donation to a charity, please consider using those funds to be kind to someone you encounter who is in need. It would be a fitting way to honor David’s genuine care for others.

A Celebration of Life Service for David will be held at 12:00 p.m. on Saturday, October 10, 2026, at Olson Funeral Home in Menomonie, WI, with Pastor Bob Friese officiating. Visitation will begin at 11:00 a.m. A lunch will follow the service. Burial will be at Barum Cemetery in Elk Mound, WI.

The service will be livestreamed by Olson Funeral Home and can be viewed on David’s obituary page www.olsonfuneral.com.

To share a memory, please visit Obituaries at www.olsonfuneral.com