Andover, MA – Julius Chungli Ren, beloved husband of Rosalie F. Ren, passed away peacefully on October 26, 2021 at Winchester Hospital after 90 long beautiful years.
Born in Dalian, China, he was the son of the late Ren Shan-Zai and Wang Shi. Chungli grew up quickly at the age of seventeen having to escape the ravages of war in Northern China by fleeing with his schoolmates and eventually finding refuge in Taiwan. Unable to return home to his family, his perseverance and will to survive earned him the chance to attend Taiwan College of Engineering. Upon graduating, with the kindness of strangers and a bit of luck, he continued his journey by immigrating to the United States to earn a Master’s degree in Electrical Engineering on full scholarship at the University of Notre Dame, followed by earning his PhD in Electrophysics from the Brooklyn Polytechnical Institute, NY. During his 30 year career, he developed over 7 patents in antenna designs, microwave and millimeter wave circuit designs, and dielectric resonators in microwave communications systems for AT&T Bell Laboratories in North Andover, MA. Through his contributions, he earned the position of Distinguished Member of Technical Staff and rounded out his career consulting to MITRE and the US Airforce.
Not only was he a brilliant, hardworking scientist, but he also loved sports, especially soccer, both as a skilled defenseman and as one of the first town coaches to help launch the Andover Soccer Association. In this role, he taught our youth not only skills in the game, but also sportsmanship and teamwork, coaching his teams to undefeated seasons. Beyond sports, he developed a love for music, singing on both a Chinese Choir and Karaoke Club and ballroom dancing to traditional Western tunes. His love for adventure and exploring different cultures never waned as he traveled throughout North America, Europe, and China.
While he took pride in his contributions to the world of engineering and his community, the family he built with his wife was his entire world. He absolutely adored his sweetheart of 59 years, caring for her as her constant companion and best friend until he took his last breath. With his endless devotion and a never-ending caring concern, he gave his children and grandchildren the gift of unconditional love. He was Daddy to his daughter, advisor and #1 supporter to his son, and Gong Gong to five adoring grandchildren who loved his playfulness, creative spirit, devotion, and wisdom. While the extended family gave him the nickname “Dr. Safety” for his constant concern over everyone’s well-being, his grandchildren simply called him their ‘best friend’. He made the grandkids his retirement, scheduling his entire day around naptimes, feeding times, school schedules and after-school activities. He could be found playing hide-and-seek, receiving ‘100 hugs’, making stuffed animals talk, telling stories, and creating objects out of candy wrappers to play with. He took the time to make their lives part of his life. Forever humble and generous with his love and kindness, he will be sorely missed by many friends and family.
Chungli is survived by his wife Rosalie F. Ren; son Eric W. Ren and daughter Caroline W. Ren; children-in-laws Rosemary Ren and Todd Jackson; five grandchildren Julia Ren Jackson, Scott Ren Jackson, Alexandra Ren, Emily Ren Jackson, and Violet Ren.
A funeral service will be held on November 20, 2021 at 11:30 am at the West Parish Garden Cemetery Chapel, 210 Lowell St., Andover, MA. Arrangements have been entrusted to the Burke-Magliozzi Funeral Home, Andover. www.burkemagliozzi.com. Donations “In memory of Chungli Ren” can be made to Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center, Cardiac Surgery via bidmc.org/give please designate Cardiology.