Yung Ae Choi

Dr. Yung Ae Chung, finally, is able to enjoy a well-earned rest. On December 2, 2022, she passed, unexpectedly, with her husband of over 57 years, Dr. Kong C. Choi, at her bedside at Columbia St. Mary’s in Mequon, Wisconsin. The grief felt by her family and friends is balanced by the comfort that comes from knowing that her legacy is intact, and from the realization and appreciation of the many ways in which she touched their lives. She will be lovingly remembered for her determination, confidence, diligence, hard work, intelligence, and unwavering concern for the comfort, health, and security of others.

Her life was marked by seismic change and transformation. She began life in early 20th century Korea. She was born in Daegu on October 29, 1936 to her father, Chung Won Sil, and mother, Park Pil Soon. She was one of seven children, having been raised with her brothers Chung Young Tae and Chung Young Ok, and her sisters, Chung Young Bok, Chung Young Sun, Chung Young Hak, Chung Young Hi. She ended life in modern America as a wife of 57 years to Dr. Kong C. Choi, mother to daughters SuJean and Jennie, having completed a career as a decorated, successful physician and medical examiner.

The remarkable change experienced in her life was evident in her medical career. At a time when there were few female doctors, her career began after obtaining an M.D. degree from Korea University in 1962. She then completed a surgical residency at the Korean National Medical Center (1963-1967). After which, she completed a short stint in a position in the Department of General Surgery at the National Medical Center, which was cut short when she and her husband bravely journeyed to the United States. She began her American career at McLaren General Hospital in 1968. In 1970, she transitioned her specialty to Pathology, having served in a Pathology residency at Hurley Hospital in Flint Michigan (1970-1974). During this time, she was also raising her two daughters.

Though the medical examiner system was first introduced in the United States in 1877 in Massachusetts, Dr. Chung brought a unique skill in an effort to perfect it. She transitioned to forensic pathology after decades as a pathologist in 1987. Through her traditional Korean heritage, Dr. Chung diligently approached her work with respect, skill, and dignity to bring justice, comfort, and relief to many that were experiencing their darkest moments. She also worked to advance her field. She published multiple articles and was a highly sought-after expert that was asked to present at meetings that spanned the globe, the many decades of her career, and multiple areas of medicine. Her first presentation was in 1964 in Seoul Korea. Later, she presented insights related to deaths from child abuse in Thailand. In Osaka Japan, she discussed pediatric fatalities from inadvertent negligence. In Michigan, she was asked to present her work analyzing the chemistry profiles from 3300 other cases. In 2009, her final presentation brought her professional career to a full circle when she discussed modern medicine at Hallym University Medical School in Chuncheon, South Korea.

Her life of change was also evident in her personal life. She began life in a traditional 1930s Korean family and ended it in 21st century America. In between, she lived a full life. She traveled around the world. Among her memorable destinations were Russia, Egypt, China, and South Africa. She sports a bookcase full of trophies, which serve as a testimony to her athletic accomplishments in golf. She was a talented and creative artist. Her creations ranged from mosaics to stained-glass lamps. She sewed customized Halloween costumes for SuJean and Jennie. She was skilled in the art of knitting, embroidery, and metalwork. Her passion for creating extended to her interests in gardening.

Despite her many accomplishments and interests, her primary preoccupation was the protection and well-being of her family. She was a devoted wife for over 57 years to a distinguished trauma surgeon, Dr. Kong Choi. She was a protective mother to two highly successful, independent women, SuJean and Jennie.

Her memorial services will be held on Saturday, December 17th, at Krause Funeral Home, 7001 West Brown Deer Road, Milwaukee, Wisconsin. Visitation will begin at 11:00 AM and the service will begin at 1:00 PM.