Dr. Ho Chung

Dr Ho Chung, Distinguished Pharmacologist/Toxicologist Dies at 83

On the evening of February 28, 2021, Dr Ho Chung, surrounded by his family, succumbed to chronic health ailments and passed away in his Vienna, Virginia home of 42-years.

For more than twenty-eight years Dr Ho Chung was employed by the Department of Pharmacology in the Division of Experimental Therapeutics, Walter Reed Army Institute of Research (WRAIR) in Washington D.C. He received numerous commendations for Exceptional Performance that improved WRAIR operations, supported United States soldier mission performance and readiness, and the betterment of worldwide health. His work, originating at WRAIR, had international impact and he was requested to present at national and international conferences. At WRAIR, he served in a variety of capacities and at the time of his retirement, he was serving as Deputy Director of the Division of Experimental Therapeutics and Chief of the Pharmacology/Toxicology Department. He was recognized as having broad subject matter expertise, being a “hands on” pharmacologist/toxicologist and an administrative leader. He directed work concerning in vitro metabolism, in vivo drug-drug interactions, animal toxicology, mutagenicity, and both human and animal pharmacokinetics. Among his colleagues, he was recognized as being energetic, well organized and firm when needed. His ability to see the larger picture as well as the details were key to his distinguished performance in all his duties.

In addition to his career at WRAIR, Dr Chung was active with leadership positions in pharmacological, toxicological and other national organizations and societies. For many years he was an active adjunct professor on the University of Maryland-Baltimore faculty and provided skillful mentoring to many Ph.D. candidates and fellows. He had vast experience in many areas of regulatory issues and was an expert on Chinese medicine, holding at least one patent. He generously gave time to provide advice and leadership to new and established faculty, especially in the area of drug metabolism. He provided all this work on a gratis basis.

Dr Chung was born in Foshan/Canton China (Guangdong Province) raised in Hong Kong and came to the United States to attend college. He earned his degrees at the University of Wisconsin-Oshkosh and The University of Maryland. His true legacy however is his family as he was an exceptionally devoted family man and, in return, he was beloved and respected by all of them. He died peacefully, surrounded by his family at his home, a place he loved. He was under his family’s care, hospice care, and the private care of Aurelia (Abby) Ralda. He was preceded in death by his parents, Dr Pak Shek Chung and Mrs Hun Lin Chan-Chung, an older brother, and an older sister, all of Hong Kong. He was also preceded by his parents-in-law Palmer E. Sell and Marion E. Heller-Sell of Neenah, Wisconsin. He is survived by his older sister Wailine C.F. Chung-Pong (Dong) of Hong Kong, his younger sister, Pauline K.S. Chung-Potter of Ottawa, Canada, and nieces and nephews residing in Hong Kong and Canada. A large extended family in Wisconsin will grieve his passing including two sisters-in-law and four brothers-in-law and many other related caring family members. Dr Chung’s wife of 56 years, MaryAnn Sell-Chung, Ed.D. Vienna, Virginia survives him. His sons, Kai (Amber) of Vienna, Virginia, and Gai of North Carolina also survive him. Granddaughters, Kyla Amber Chung and Leala Mailine Chung, of Vienna, Virginia survive him and will always be known as the “light of his life.”