Bernie passed away on June 27, 2007 after a long battle with an autoimmune condition known as neuro-Behcet’s disease. This site was created to commemorate the one-year anniversary of his death.
The following is the obituary written for Bernie’s funeral:
Bernie Chang was born on May 10, 1975 in Hayward, CA. He attended California High School in San Ramon, CA where he played basketball and baseball, wearing his favorite #10 for both sports. Bernie spent his undergraduate years at MIT and was course 15 (Management Science). He lived at Next House where he was known as “the walking study break” and was active in varsity basketball and Intervarsity’s Korean Christian Fellowship. After graduating, Bernie worked for the Columbia Management Group in Boston, MA where he spent ten years in the fixed income department. Bernie held the Chartered Financial Analyst designation as well as a Master Personal Financial Planner Certificate from Bentley College in Waltham, MA. He celebrated his achievements by treating his friends to dinner at Chuck E. Cheese.
As an active member of the Cambridge Community Fellowship Church, Bernie served on the church board and finance committee, as well as participated in the gospel choir, small group leadership, and vacation bible school for kids. He also taught financial stewardship seminars and organized a basketball camp for youth in Dorchester, MA. He hosted many dinners at his apartment to encourage fellowship, indulging his friends with a variety of smoothies, milkshakes, Hawaiian shave ice, and his award-winning mud pie.
Bernie was a leader and a teacher, and had an uncanny ability to bring people together wherever he went. He set the example for sacrificial and humble living, sharing generously and joyfully with his friends and towards the work of God. He will be remembered for his hospitality, selflessness, wisdom, creativity, and steadfast commitment to God and to the people he loved.