On Tuesday, February 8th, our dear Marvin Chan passed away.  Marvin entered this world on September 22, 1957, at Templehof A.F.B in Berlin, Germany.  He was the first child of parents, Charles and Ursula Chan and older brother to sister, Sylvia.

Being an “Air Force Brat”, Marvin had the privilege of growing up and living all over the United States and having innumerable cultural experiences abroad before the family settled in San Antonio, Texas.  He was a proud Longhorn and graduated from the University of Texas at Austin in 1979.  He was then commissioned as an officer in the Air Force where he served faithfully until 1992. Marvin was always interested in cutting edge advancements in technology, aviation and space and earned his master’s degree in Aerospace Science from Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University in 1991.  After leaving the military, Marvin was well suited for his subsequent career in customer service consulting, providing expert advice with respect and positivity.

Outside of work, Marvin loved music, both listening to and playing the piano or keyboard.  He loved to share songs that particularly moved him or were special to him.  Marvin had an eclectic collection of music including contemporary Christian, American Folk, 60s and 70s classic rock, Indigenous peoples spiritual instrumentals, Texas Outlaw Country, and Cajun/Zydeco, among others.  Although he mostly focused on music over lyrics, Marvin loved the words to Amazing Grace and Victory in Jesus. 

Marvin was an avid Christmas movie fan and maintained a queue of 15-20 movies at all times.  He looked forward to the Saturday Night Premiers on the Hallmark Channel year round.  He also enjoyed attending festivals like the Renaissance Festival, the German Heritage Festival, Bayou City Art Festival, and the Festival International de Louisiana, to name a few. 

Like his father, Marvin was a wonderful cook - his specialties being fried chicken, chili, fried egg sandwiches and anything breakfast-related.

Marvin was a good man and a loving father to his three uniquely diverse and wonderful children.  He enjoyed discussing music with his son Rick, playing online games with his daughter Lisa, and playing keyboards and building computers with his youngest son Clayton.  As the best “Gramps”, Marvin had a funny, goofy side that endeared him to the granddaughters he loved so much.   

Marvin was generous with his time and listened to trials and triumphs with equal attention.   He had a delightful silly streak and came up with nicknames and funny words that made others smile (or groan!).  He was a respected Scouting volunteer for several years and continued to volunteer with the Houston-Galveston Area River, Lakes, Bays N’ Bayous Trash Bash annually. 

Marvin’s Christian faith at his beloved Messiah Lutheran Church was an essential part of his life.  Marvin was a devoted church volunteer who would deliver meals whenever needed and will be missed by the members of his men’s group at their weekly breakfast gathering.

Marvin was preceded in death by his father Chester C Chan.  Marvin is survived by his mother, Ursula (Gottschalk) Chan, his sister Sylvia Chan Totten and her fiancée Steve Griffin, his former wife, Linda Shindler, their son Rick Chan, Rick’s fiancée Lori Brinkman and granddaughters Abbey and Maddie, their daughter Lisa Chan, Marvin's life partner, Shiela Reese and their son Clayton. 

Marvin will be dearly missed by those who knew and loved him.  A service to honor him and celebrate his life will be held at the Messiah Lutheran Church on Telge Road in Cypress Texas on Saturday, March 5, 2022 at 2:00 PM.