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302-478-7100 Wilmington & Hockessin, DE

Chi-Kai Shih

Chi-Kai Shih, age 88, of Hockessin, Delaware, formally of Taipei, Taiwan passed away on Monday, October 20, 2025 at Christiana Hospital.

Chi-Kai was born in Nanjing, China and graduated from the National Taiwan University in 1960, with a B.S. in Chemical Engineering and then from the University of Rochester in 1964, with his PhD. in Chemical Engineering.

He worked as a research, chemical engineer at Dupont company for 37 years and retired as a senior research fellow. During that time, he was awarded several US patents for some of this work. In addition, he was inducted as a fellow of the society of plastic engineers and was a member of the Polymer Processing Society and the Society of Rheology. Further, he also served as a visiting scholar at the University of Delaware teaching the science of cooking.

Chi-Kai was a co-founder of the Chinese American Community Center of Delaware (https://caccdelaware.org/home) and served as the first Chairman of the Chinese American Community Center. Further he enjoyed and was very active as a member of  the Chat and Learn, Hiking, Biking, Dining and Evergreen clubs. He served as a board member of the East Coast Chinese Family Camp.

Chi-Kai is pre-deceased by his beloved wife of 61 years, Helen Shih, who passed away on July 1, 2022. He is survived by his daughter Ann Shih, of Knoxville, TN, his son Richard Shih, MD, and his wife Laura Shih, DO, of Boca Raton, FL, granddaughter Samantha Rey, of Queens, NY, Lilli Rey, of Knoxville, TN, granddaughter Catherine Shih, of Brooklyn, NY, and grandson, Randall Shih, of Boca Raton, FL,. He is also survived by four brothers and sisters, in addition to many nieces and nephews.

A Funeral Service will be held on Friday, October 24 at 10:30 AM at Chandler Funeral Home, 2506 Concord Pike, Wilmington, DE 19803. A viewing will be held prior to the service from 9:00 to 10:30 AM. Interment will follow on Friday, October 24 at 1PM at the St. Joseph on the Brandywine Roman Catholic Church Cemetery, 10 Old Church Rd, Wilmington, DE 19807.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be sent to Chinese American Community Center, 1313 Little Baltimore Rd., Hockessin, DE, 19707, caccdelaware.org/contact-us/.

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Funeral Services

A Funeral Service will be held on Friday, October 24 at 10:30 AM at Chandler Funeral Home, 2506 Concord Pike, Wilmington, DE 19803. A viewing will be held prior to the service from 9:00 to 10:30 AM. Interment will follow on Friday, October 24 at 1PM at the St. Joseph on the Brandywine Roman Catholic Church Cemetery, 10 Old Church Rd, Wilmington, DE 19807.

Condolences

    Nima lit a candle and writes,
    Shih family, So sad to hear the news about dad/granddad. His memory will last in your hearts forever. Condolences to the Shih family. Love, Majlesi family
    10/22/2025 06:14 pm
    Elaine and Gordon Lee lit a candle and writes,
    Thinking of the happy times when our friends often gathered together in the past three years, we will never forget it. It’s sad that this has become our warm memory. We wish you and Helen can get together in another world. Forever blessings! Elaine and Gordon
    10/22/2025 06:35 pm
    Albert & Stephanie Shen lit a candle and writes,
    In honor of the passing of Chi-Kai, a true gentleman and our dearest friend, we light this candle. We cherish the memories, knowing they will be a source of strength and comfort in the days to come. Love, Stephanie (YunYun) & Albert Shen
    10/22/2025 08:02 pm
    髙艷蕊 writes,
    Forever Blessings ！ Forever Memory ！
    10/22/2025 08:23 pm
    MeiYan, Shih lit a candle and writes,
    My dearest uncle, Thank you for your love and kindness. You will always in our hearts.
    10/23/2025 02:59 am
    Winda Ho lit a candle and writes,
    Dear Uncle Chi Kai: You will be missed. Since we moved to Montreal in 1967, our two family were intertwined. We drove over to Delaware to visit you & family, you drove over to visit our family. All our weddings, holidays were so happily shared. There is not a moment I can say we were not on each other’s minds. Your sudden departure is hard to swallow. We can only wish all your family well. Be comforted that you are reunited with your beloved wife. Your beautiful smile & kindness will be missed. Our most sincere condolences and love to your children and their family. ❤️❤️❤️💐💐💐
    10/23/2025 03:50 am
    Bing Ma lit a candle and writes,
    Dear Uncle: I was lucky enough to have you visited me right after I was born, thank you, since you were probably the only relative live near us. Your mild manner, kindness and grace has always touched me and an example for me to follow. May you rest in peace and happy now that you are reunited with Auntie. God blessed your family.
    10/23/2025 09:16 am
    S. B. & Katy Woo writes,
    Our deepest condolences. Chi-Kai did his share of services to our community.
    10/23/2025 09:20 am
    Timothy and PoMin Lim writes,
    It is so sad to lost our friend - Chi-Kai. He will be missed by us. Wish he and Helen can get together again in heaven. Tim and PoMin
    10/23/2025 12:09 pm
    Bainian & Feng writes,
    Dear Mr. Shih, You will be very much missed. I was so lucky to have known you for 3 decades since I was a grad student in China. You have enriched our lives beyond words. We thank you for your help, your kindness, your guidance, your love and friendship over the years. You and Mrs. Shih will be always in our hearts. May you rest in peace. 百年，吴峰
    10/23/2025 02:55 pm
    Julie & Henry Chang lit a candle and writes,
    In honor of Chi-Kai Shih, our dearest friend, we light a candle. Your sincerity toward friends, pursuit of truth, love for your homeland, relentless learning, and compassion for others will always be remembered. We cherish the beautiful memories shared with you over the last three years and with Helen in earlier years, and you will alway remain in our hearts. Julie & Henry Chang
    10/23/2025 03:07 pm
    Michael Piovoso lit a candle and writes,
    I had the honor of working with Chi-Kai at DuPont. A kind and gentle man, he was loved by all. My deepest sympathy goes out to all of his family and friends. I will be keeping everyone in my thoughts and prayers.
    10/23/2025 09:05 pm
    Linjie writes,
    I was deeply saddened to hear of Dr. Shih’s passing. I knew Dr. Shih at the late 90’s when I was a student at Beijing. He often provided his recommendations to my research by email. After I came to US, we have many discussions on academics and careers development. Dr. Shih will be deeply missed.
    10/24/2025 08:06 am
    Teresa Lee lit a candle and writes,
    Dear Shih’s family, Our deepest condolences! Chi-Kai was a kind and loving friend to us. He was our big brother and leader to the Chinese community. His shining personality will always live in our hearts and memory. Tom and Teresa Lee
    10/24/2025 09:28 am
    Sherry Hsia writes,
    Dear Uncle Chi-Kai, I am so reluctant to bid farewell to you. Though we don't see you very often in Taipei, you remain a very important family member. You have set an example for us in many ways. You were so kind to encourage me when my mother paased away. You will be missed dearly.
    10/24/2025 12:46 pm
    John Ho writes,
    One of favorite uncle. Such a warm and thoughtful person. I know he’s in a better place and hope to meet with him in the future!
    10/24/2025 04:20 pm
    Evan and Shirley Tseng lit a candle and writes,
    During these two weeks, friends here have been deeply concerned about Chi-Kai's condition. This heartbreaking news fills us with sorrow and reluctance. Chi-Kai’s departure was far too sudden. His passion, creativity and unfinished vision for the Chinese community remain deeply engraved in our hearts, and the moments we once shared have now become precious memories. May he rest in peace and find serenity on his journey. May his wish to reunite with his beloved wife Helen be fulfilled in another world. The bond of old friends will not fade with time or distance! Evan and Shirley Tseng
    10/25/2025 07:18 am
    Kevin Denelsbeck writes,
    My sincere condolences to the Shih family. I just heard of this. My dad worked with Chi Kai for several decades at DuPont. Chi Kai was kind enough to make the trip and say many kind words at my father's funeral in 2017. I wish I could've returned the favor. A hard-working, diligent scientist, and a warmhearted, decent man. My prayers are for peace and grace and fond memories.
    10/31/2025 05:57 pm
    Steven Denelsbeck writes,
    My father Donald worked with Chi-Kai for many years and I briefly knew him as well. A very proper, polite man and a diligent engineer at DuPont. My most sincere condolences to his family and friends.
    10/31/2025 06:04 pm

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