CHONG YOL KIM

October 19,1932 – May 25, 2024

Chong Yol Kim, 91, passed away Saturday, May 25, 2024, at his home in Fond du Lac, WI.  He was born October 19, 1932 in Seoul, Korea, the 6th of 10 children to Dong Myung Kim (father) and Bok Sung Lee (mother).  During his primary years, Chong lived in Kaesong and later in ChongJin near the northeastern Chinese border.  In 1945, at the conclusion of WWII, the family permanently relocated to Seoul.  Chong graduated from Geonggi Commerical High School, the commercial/financial branch of the prestigious Geonggi High School) and entered Seoul National University to study business and political science before his conscription into military service in 1951. While on military police patrol, Chong espied the lovely Hyun Sook Kim, a volleyball player.  Through some clandestine note- passing and phone calls, the two met and fell in love.  They married on October 15, 1955, and welcomed the arrival of their first child, a son, Daniel, in 1956, followed by a daughter, Ruth, in 1958.  From 1959-1962, Chong and his family moved to Singapore where he worked for a rubber company and as a government liaison for South Korea.  In 1963, the family immigrated to the United States.  After the movie "Crazy Rich Asians" was released, he sometimes joked that maybe he should have stayed in Singapore instead of moving to the U.S.

In 1963, the family moved to Bloomington, IN where Chong began the next stage of his life.  He studied biochemistry and in particular the role enzymes and their applications for practical use.  In 1968. Chong was lured away from academic research by Miles Laboratories in Elkhart, IN. He began his career at Miles researching soy-based protein for meatless meats. Later, he experimented with the practical uses of enzymes which led to over 20 process patents for mass synthesis of enzymes.  His expertise allowed him to participate in numerous joint ventures in the US and abroad including beer production in Mexico and Europe and, soaps and detergents in Asia. Although the original Miles Laboratories underwent many business transformations/shutdowns/layoffs, Chong was recognized for his work and contribution to the industry until his retirement in 1992.  For several years after retirement, Chong was a recognized specialist and spoken at numerous conferences around the world.  If you ever ate a soy burger, wore contact lens, or washed laundry, then your life was touched by works of Chong Yol Kim.

In the mid 1970's, Chong Yol and his wife Hyun Sook, noticed the growing the number of Koreans moving into the Michiana (Northcentral Indiana and Southcentral Michigan area).  The couple, along with a few other Koreans of the area formed the Michiana Korean American Association to aid in the acclimation of the new Korean residents.  In 1977, the Michiana Korean Church (a non-denominational church) was formed.  Over the years the Korean American community in area has grown (there are now 3 Korean-American churches), but Elder Kim and Grandma Kim (as they were fondly known by) were always a mainstay and cornerstone for the community.  If there was ever a need, whether it was interpreting legal documents, finding resources, marital or parental advice, or just a place to come cook smelly Korean food, you could always count on the Kims' for help.  There are many stories of their endless generosity.  One involved 4 Korean students traveling in the US for vacation when their car broke down on the Indiana Tollway near Elkhart.  The students happened to be chemistry majors from Seoul National University and in their alumni directory was the name Chong Yol Kim.  They had the police make a call to the Kims' whereupon they were guests for the weekend, placed on a train the following Monday to Chicago to continue with their travels.  In recognition of his enduring commitment, Chong was awarded a Special Recognition of Service by the Michiana Korean Association on January 13, 2019.

Due to health concerns, Chong moved to Fond du Lac, Wisconsin in October 2019 to live with his daughter's family.  COVID isolation allowed him to improve his health and when restrictions were lifted, he vigorously embarked on getting back to a routine. This routine included daily walks with Sophie (the family Teddy Bear dog) and Silver Sneaker Workouts at the YMCA.  In 2023, after a visit to The Villages in Florida, he decided snow birding was the way to go.  He was able to spend the 2023-24 holidays in Florida, as well as some time in May.  He particularly liked playing bocce and bingo because he won when he did (the take was around $15 in bingo and $3 in bocce, bragging rights were also a plus).

Chong Yol Kim was much loved and well respected by his family and friends.  He will be missed but not easily forgotten for he touched so many lives. When asked, he hoped that he would be remembered for doing his best and living an honorable life.  He was preceded in death by his father, Bong Myung Kim (1967) and his mother, Bok Sung Lee (1991), his beloved wife, Hyun Sook (2013), Sisters – Sang Hee, Young Ja, Jung Ja, and Ok Hee, and brothers – Chang Yol, and Young Yol. He is survived by sister In Ja Hong and brother Moo Yol Kim of Seoul, South Korea; his son Daniel K. (Misook) Kim of Lafayette, LA and daughter Ruth Y. Park (John) of Fond du Lac, WI; grandchildren Hannah S. (Andrew) Kim of Decatur, GA, Major Ryan J (Vy) Kim of Harker Heights, TX, Major Rebecca E Kim of Yorktown, VA and Andrew S. Park of Milwaukee, WI; great-grandchildren Anderson, Josiah, Evelyn, Drew, Sonya and, Maya

Visitation will be held on Friday, June 14, 2024, from 3 – 7 pm at Chapel Hill Funeral Home, 10776 McKinley Hwy, Osceola, IN  46561.  Funeral Service will be at 10:00 am Saturday, June 15, 2024, at Michiana Korean Church, 29400 CR 10, Elkhart, IN  46514.  Burial will follow immediately after the funeral service at Chapel Hill Memorial Gardens.  Funeral lunch will be held at the Michiana Korean Church at 12:45 pm.

In lieu of flowers, plants, or gifts, donations and memorials may be made to the Michiana Korean Church – Mission Fund.