Amos I T Chang, 1916-1998
Amos I. T. Chang, age 82, of Manhattan, Kansas, died Monday morning, August 3, 1998, at the Stormont-Vail Regional Medical Center in Topeka, Kansas.
He was born on March 23, 1916, in Kwantung Province, China, the son of Seng-Dhee and Su-Yee Lim Chang.
Dr. Chang graduated from Nanking Christian High School in Nanking, China, in 1935. He received his undergraduate degree in engineering at Chungking University in China, and his master’s and doctorate degrees in architecture from Princeton University. Dr. Chang was a professional engineer in China from 1939 until 1946, and later after receiving his Ph.D. in 1951, taught at Princeton as a critic in architectural design. His book, “Intangible Content in Architectural Form” (Tao of Architecture), was published by the Princeton Press in 1956.
After completing his studies at Princeton, Dr. Chang practiced architecture in Thailand for 17 years, where he designed a number of important buildings including the Bangkok Christian College for 2,500 students; Janhay Girl’s School for 500 students; a 200-room hotel; the Chinese Embassy; a four-story Baptist Student Center; and a number of commercial and residential buildings. During this time he also taught architecture part-time at the Fine Arts University of Thailand and was instrumental in helping plan and supervise the 1963 Japanese Trade Fair in Bangkok. Prior to returning to Bangkok, Dr. Chang was associated with Kahn and Jacobs, an architectural firm in New York City.
In 1967, Dr. Chang joined the faculty at Kansas State University as an associate professor of architectural design in the College of Architecture and Design, and in 1974 he was named a full professor. His devotion to the development of students’ individual strengths and to their understanding of the art of environmental design, and his knowledge in speaking at both domestic and international audiences composed of students, scholars and practitioners, has made him among the most widely known faculty members in the department. His selection, in 1984, as the Tau Sigma Delta Teacher of the Year was fitting recognition of his unique contributions to the College of Architecture and Design. Dr. Chang retired in 1987 from Kansas State University and was honored at that time with a gallery named after him in Seaton Hall in which architectural works are displayed.
Dr. Chang was a member of the First Presbyterian Church in Manhattan. His professional memberships included the American Institute of Architects, the International Shell Structure Association and the Association of American Collegiate Schools of Architecture. He was also the author of numerous publications and papers.
On August 3, 1938, he was married to the former Jennie Ming-Chio Lee. The day of his death was their 60th wedding anniversary. Mrs. Chang survives of the home. Other survivors include two sons: Chung-Yue Chang of Morris Plains, New Jersey, Chung-Tsiang Chang of Bedford, Texas; two daughters: Chung-Ling Chang Chee of Kowloon, Hong Kong, and Songsri Chang Wong of Hastings-on-Hudson, New York; and eleven grandchildren: Eric Chang, Allen Chang, Yvonne Chang Johnson, Elaine Chang, Elise Chang, Pamela Chee, Brian Chee, Andrew Chee, Ian Chee, Audrey Chee and Elissa Wong. Mr. Chang is also survived by one sister in China and one sister in Thailand.
Memorials can be made to the Kansas State University Foundation for the Department of Architecture.