Homer Minjen Chen

With profound sadness, we remember the life of Homer Minjen Chen on June 24, 2026 in Silver Spring, MD, who passed away peacefully at the remarkable age of 98. Homer was born on February 14, 1928 in Beijing, China to the late Yun Pao Chen and the late Ching Chen Hsu. He was preceded in death by his first wife, America Sanchez, his second wife, Helen Der, and his younger brothers, Peter, William, and Steven.  

Homer was a devoted and loving father to Melinda Chen (Ronney Choong), José Chen (Sue Chen), and Eduardo Chen. He was a cherished grandfather and affectionately known as "Kong Kong" to seven beloved grandchildren: Peter Chen (Camille Violet), Michael Chen (Taylor Chen), Elena Choong, Steven Chen (Ally Hackman), Katrina Choong (Brandon Johnson, fiancé), Cooper Chen, and Sophia Chen. He was also the proud great grandfather of Madelyn Chen, daughter of Michael and Taylor Chen.  

Homer fled China during World War II at the time of the Japanese occupation and attended high school in the Panama Canal Zone. He later enrolled at Iowa State University, where he studied civil engineering and became a devoted Cyclone in 1953 (B.S.). His connection to Iowa State spanned three generations of alumni, including himself, his daughter, Melinda (‘80 B.S.), and granddaughter, Katrina ('19 B.S., ‘21 M.Eng.). 

He became penpals with his wife, America Sanchez of Costa Rica, through his father to practice his Spanish. What started out as an exchange of letters soon blossomed into a lifelong love. He invited America to the United States to take her sightseeing and just two weeks after her arrival, she asked him to marry her. Together they moved to Hyattsville, Maryland where they built their home and raised their family. Homer retired from the Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority (WMATA) as a Chief Structural Engineer who specialized in noise suppression as illustrated in the honeycomb ceilings in the Washington Metro. 

Homer was an original parishioner of St. Patrick's Catholic Church when the parish was established in 1966. He faithfully served his church for 50 years as a dedicated usher. He also served as Grand Knight of the Peter Paul Maher Council of the Knights of Columbus reflecting his lifelong commitment to his faith and community.  

Homer found joy in life’s simple pleasures. He never turned down a plate of crispy duck, a fresh donut, or a comforting bowl of hot and sour soup. Football season was one of his favorite times of the year where he could be found cheering enthusiastically for his favorite team, the Washington Commanders.  

Funeral services will be held at St. Patrick’s Catholic Church  4101 Norbeck Road Rockville MD 20853 on Thursday July 2,2026 with visitation from 10:30 am until 11:30 am to include and close with family remembrance at 11:15 am. Mass of Christian Burial at 11:30 am. Interment Gate of Heaven Cemetery. 
In lieu of flowers memorial contributions in Homers name may be sent to St. Patrick’s Church, 4101 Norbeck Road Rockville MD 20853 or to The American Heart Association. www.heart.org