Kenneth Chih Ch'eng Chang, also known as Ken by friends and "Boysie" by family, passed away at his home in Honolulu on April 3, 2022 after losing a brave year-long battle to renal cancer. He was born in 1949 and was the long-awaited son of Kenneth P.F. and Abbie K. Chang.Boysie graduated from St. Louis High School in 1967. He was active in student government, served as an executive senior officer in the ROTC Program, and lettered in swimming. His swimming success earned him a scholarship to attend Brown University, but he chose instead to attend the University of Hawaii where he earned the degree of Bachelor of Fine Arts in Pre-Architecture.
Boysie was known for his good looks and winning ways. At UH, he was active in student government, the Architecture Club, and his fraternity Tu Chiang Sheh activities, including social events and football. As for kung fu, a favored sport, it was said that while Ken wasn't fast, when he hit you, you went down! Following his studies at UH, he attended Kansas State University and earned the degree of Master of Architecture.
Professionally, he established Innovative Architectural Designs, Inc. to provide design and project management services to commercial, residential, governmental, and institutional clients. Being that creative person with innovative ideas, he designed thousands of projects ranging from million-dollar homes with exclusive addresses to schools and colleges with cafeterias and housing to retail stores in Waikiki and Kapolei, many of which were managing turn-key projects from start to finish. Boysie took pride in his work, often taking friends and family members on drive-bys to show his projects.
Boysie gave service to the community through membership in organizations as St. Louis Alumni Association, Na Koa Football Club, Lion's Club (Diamond Head), Hawaii State Jaycees, Honolulu's Neighborhood Boards No. 3 and 5, UH School of Architecture Alumni Association, Honolulu Japanese Junior Chamber of Commerce, Building Industry Association of Hawaii, and others. He was especially pleased to have been appointed to the State Disabilities and Communications Access Board (ADA) by an earlier Governor.
Boysie enjoyed fishing. He loved cars, including his gold Plymouth Satellite, Austin Healy, Corvettes, Mercedes, and a BMW. Like his mother, Boysie also loved cats as he claimed that they understood what he said and they of him. Buster, Boysie's much-loved tabby for over 10 years, was with him until she passed away three months before Boysie.
He enjoyed being with friends and family at the many get togethers, a tradition established by his parents that always included food! Uncle Ken took genuine interest in his nieces and nephews advising and helping them in their lives. He gave them their first jobs as summer help in his office to build their resumes and for spending money!
Boysie lived life on his terms. He deeply loved his family and was always there to help; he was sensitive, kind and generous to others with an explosive temper for what he thought was right. He became an architect as an expression of his artistic abilities.
Boysie is survived by siblings Susan Wong, Stephanie Ching, Selma Pang, and Keith Chang; nieces and nephews; great nieces and nephew; and close friend Christine Tong.
SERVICES WILL BE PRIVATE. IN MEMORY OF KEN, DONATIONS MAY BE MADE TO THE HAWAIIAN HUMANE SOCIETY.
Arrangements Provided By:
Nuuanu Memorial Park & Mortuary LLC
