Posted on: Wednesday, June 19, 2002

'Hunky' Chun made running a family affair

By Curtis Lum
Advertiser Staff Writer

Dr. Hing Hua "Hunky" Chun, a heart specialist and husband of former state Rep. Connie Chun, died June 12 in Honolulu. He was 70.

Chun also was the patriarch of the "Hunky Bunch," the family that participated in running events beginning in the 1970s. In 1974, the Hunky Bunch gained national fame when it received a special exemption to allow the Chuns' six children to run in the Boston Marathon.

"Hunky" Chun was born March 27, 1932, in Honolulu. He attended Roosevelt High School and the University of Hawai'i, and graduated with honors from Northwestern University School of Medicine in 1956.

Chun entered the Air Force following his residency at Philadelphia General Hospital and was the chief of internal medicine at the 6510th USAF Hospital at Edwards Air Force Base in California from 1960-62. He later became chief of medicine at St. Francis Hospital.

Chun had three sons from an earlier marriage when he married Connie, who brought with her three daughters. A real-life version of the 1970s sitcom "The Brady Bunch," the Chun clan became known as the "Hunky Bunch."

Together, the Hunky Bunch took part in numerous marathons, including four consecutive Honolulu Marathons in the 1970s.

Chun is survived by his wife, Connie; sons, Jerold, Hingson and Daven; daughters, Maylynne Gill, June Beltran and Joy Groody; 10 grandchildren; brother, Pingson.

Private services were held. Donations may be made in Chun's name to the St. Francis Healthcare Foundation of Hawai'i, 2226 Liliha St., Honolulu, HI 96817.