Salesman Mun Charn Wong dead at 84
By Curtis Lum
Advertiser Staff Writer
Mun Charn Wong, an insurance agent, veteran and active member of many community organizations, died Sept. 17 in Honolulu. He was 84.
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Wong was born Jan. 24, 1918, in Honolulu. He graduated from McKinley High School and received a degree in chemistry from the University of Hawai'i.
Mun Charn Wong was awarded two battle stars for his duty in Europe during World War II.
While at the university, Wong joined the ROTC and Hawai'i National Guard. He went on active duty in Europe during World War II and was awarded two battle stars.
Following the war, Wong returned to Hawai'i and began a long and successful career in insurance and estate planning. He won several awards for his salesmanship, including the Legend of Transamerica award, the highest honor given by the Transamerica Occidental Life Insurance Co.
The award also recognized Wong's contribution to his community. He served on the board of the Cerebral Palsy Association, and was a member of the Shriners, Masons, Lions and Rotary clubs.
Wong also was responsible for establishing a scholarship at the University of Hawai'i ROTC program in honor of his childhood friend, Wah Kau Kong. Kong, who flew for the Army Air Corps during World War II, was the only Chinese-American fighter pilot at the time.
Wong retired as a colonel in the Air Force Reserve.
Wong is survived by wife, Mew Choy; sons, John, Jim, Michael and David; daughters, Ann Ho and Mary Beth; brothers, Mun Kin, Walter and Alfred; sister, Ruth Lee; and eight grandchildren. Visitation noon to 2 p.m. Sunday at St. Alban's Chapel, Iolani School. Inurnment 11:30 a.m. Monday at the National Memorial Cemetery of the Pacific.
Donations may be made to the Mun Charn Wong Memorial Fund, University of Hawai'i Foundation.
