고 이영선(공대 52, Mrs. Youngsun Lee Suh) 동문 별세

From Kuhn Funeral Homes Obituary

Youngsun Suh (Lee), 90, a long-time resident of Wyomissing Hills passed away peacefully on Saturday, October 19, 2024. She was the beloved wife of Dr. Chai Chin Suh, with whom she enjoyed over 65 years of marriage before his passing in 2023. Dr. Chai Chin Suh and Mrs. Youngsun Suh were reunited and interred together in a private ceremony.

Youngsun was born in Seoul, South Korea. She was the second of four children born to Kyung Ryul Lee and Kyung Bok Roh. Exceptional for women of her time, she graduated with a bachelor’s degree in mechanical engineering from the prestigious Seoul National University (SNU) in the 1950s. While a student at SNU, she met Dr. Suh, a young professor at the School of Engineering. They married in 1957. The couple brought their young family to the United States in the late 1960s, eventually settling in Berks County, PA where the couple resided for 50 years.

Unusual for women of her generation, particularly in Korea, Youngsun pursued engineering and a career working in textile fibers and dyes research. She also taught at the renowned Ewha Womans University in Seoul. She was invited by the Society of Women Engineers (SWE) as one of the keynote presenters at the 1st International Conference of Women Engineers and Scientists (ICWES) in June 1964, to coincide with the SWE National Convention and the 1964 World’s Fair in New York City, NY.

Youngsun was a woman of many talents who approached everything she did with great passion, zeal, and devotion. Her culinary skills were unparalleled and ever on display at home and at many events she hosted for friends and family. She also excelled in singing as a member of the choir and “Song Spinners” women’s choral group at the First Presbyterian Church, playing tennis, dancing, sewing, and using her linguistic skills. She was fluent in Korean, Japanese, English, and German. She taught English as a Second Language (ESL) in the Berks County School system and also served as an official interpreter in important corporate meetings.

Left to treasure Youngsun’s memory are her daughters Vivian (Douglas), Jacqueline, and Janette (Leonard). She is also survived by her loving grandchildren: Alexander, and Julie and Benjamin; her brother Youngman; her sister Young Jean; and a number of nephews and nieces.

A memorial service for Mrs. Youngsun Suh will be held on Saturday, January 11, 2025 at Park Road Presbyterian Church, 1045 N. Park Road, Wyomissing, PA 19610 at 3:00 PM EST (2:30 PM visitation). A link for a livestream feed will be available during the service on this website. Please check back then.

Flowers may be donated for delivery directly to the church for January 11, 2025 service. Alternatively, donations to the Society of Women Engineers (SWE) “In Honor and Remembrance of Youngsun Lee Suh” would be appreciated. Please use this link https://secure.givelively.org/donate/society-of-women-engineers-chicago-il/honor-and-in-remembrance-of-youngsun-lee-suh.

The family wishes to thank the care team at The Heritage for the exceptional care they provided Youngsun for the past year. They would like to thank Rev. Dr. Christopher DiVietro and the congregation of Park Road Presbyterian Church for their many expressions of love and support during this time. The family extends deep gratitude to Mrs. Ellen Chen-Cooper, a long-time family friend, who visited her weekly.