OUR LEGEND…
CHESTER CHANG
“Even in things do have margin for errors, you’ll sharpen your skills to such a point you will be better at whatever is that you do…” – Chester Chang
– By Joy Han (15)
I never knew what I wanted specifically. It was always overly vague, never enough to commit to anything overly life changing. I simply saw life as it was. I would do what I was told, speak when spoken to, and focus on myself when I could. I felt like I always had to make a choice. I could either continue to have my hobbies or work on a successful career, but never both.
Either way, I always found myself in the same spot, no matter how much time had passed. I always craved success in both my career and life in general, but I just never knew how. I didn’t know how to contribute and accomplish as much as I wanted to, knowing I could and should do more. I needed some kind of guidance.
This all changed when I met Dr. Chester Chang. Upon first meeting with him, I honestly had no idea what I was getting into. He greeted me with friendly hospitality and shared a tale about his life. I didn’t know much, but the one thing I did know about him was donating over 1,000 pieces of Asian artwork to institutions everywhere. Despite this, my overall knowledge was very vague.
Initially, upon hearing about the donations, I found it quite bizarre. I questioned how a single person could accumulate such a high number of artworks in the first place, even wondering if it was humanly possible. In other words, I was completely flabbergasted at how such a person came to fruition. This brings me back to my meeting with Chester Chang. All it took for me to spark an interest was further talking about his appreciation of art, but it was just a hint of what was to come
Like many others, the aspect that makes Chester Chang who he is today is his struggles. In his life, he faced many challenges. Throughout his life, he faced numerous challenges. In his childhood, the overarching fear of homelessness loomed, compounded by the significant language barrier upon arriving in the U.S. in 1947. At the tender age of 8, Chester felt alienated and inferior within his school setting, constantly grappling to keep up with his predominantly Caucasian peers. His days as a refugee in Pusan were marked by regular overwhelm and uncertainty. Even after transitioning from refugee life, affording all his flying lessons, a pursuit that defines him today, remained a challenge.
The flying lessons, initially funded by money earned during his days as a migrant farm worker, reached a point where he could no longer afford them. Despite this financial setback, Chester Chang persevered in his pursuit of his aviation dream. He took on hazardous jobs such as pumping gas and washing airplanes to continue his journey in aviation.
Additionally, he has had his own fair share of fears as well. While many people experience a fear of heights or, more specifically, flying, he is not one of them. Instead, his biggest fear is complacency. In terms of the human factor, the repetitive nature of certain procedures can lead to a sense of monotony, causing people to act sloppily and forgetful even in the performance of crucial duties. This, unfortunately, can result in accidents. Even today, he faces conflicts that many struggle to overcome. His son, Chester Clarence Chang, tragically lost his life while trying to intervene in a violent altercation on a flight on May 7th, succumbing to an assailant’s gun.
Despite all the hardship, no story unfolds on a straight and easy path. In other words, there are no struggles without success and accomplishments. Chester Chang has achieved numerous remarkable and noteworthy accomplishments, including but not limited to being awarded the Wright Brothers Master Pilots Award, serving as an FAA for 42 years, and earning the title and position of ‘Director Emeritus’ by the NDU (National Defense University). Upon retiring from the board of directors for the NDU, he was bestowed with this position to honor his substantial contributions and experiences to the U.S. government and the NDU. He is, undoubtedly, an inspiring aviator to many, given his abundance of accomplishments. However, these achievements in his aviation career, though admirable, sometimes overshadow some of his other notable successes.
The truth is, he has tons of hidden accomplishments that seem less known than producing the first official K-pop album. His biggest collection, art, is what I consider his greatest accomplishment of all. At first glance, it may seem like a plain old collection. However, I came to find out that it was passed down through family generations, resulting in a wide variety of art, each with its own unique story. It represents the culmination of all his efforts and the final by-product of his long, heartbreaking journey. Even the great difficulties of losing a child did not deter Chester Chang, and that’s what makes him so admirable. He accepted the loss in his own way, choosing to donate some of his most meaningful pieces in his son’s name as a way of showing respect and remembrance.
What sets Chester Chang apart is his life outlook, which ultimately contributes to his success. He truly embodies the values in understanding, adaptability, and most importantly, commitment. He was one of the most selfless and thoughtful people I’ve known; it’s quite fascinating. Additionally, there’s his value of learning and teaching, constantly bettering himself and others. He draws parallels between the life skills and philosophy required to be a good pilot and what it takes to have a successful career and overall life. What makes a person gain an edge over others is their attitude. The importance lies in being detailed and prepared. Life is precious, and when you are influencing others, you must always consider their safety. This approach sharpens all of your skill sets and ultimately determines how you interact with others. Additionally, he extends the comparison by describing what it’s like to fly an airplane, emphasizing its mostly straightforward journey. Life, much like flying, involves ups and downs, uneven altitudes, and constant changes. That’s what makes life meaningful. These ideals are what make Chester Chang truly unique.
Dr. Chester Chang gave me a fresh perspective on life that I didn’t even know existed. It guided me through a journey where I can be the best version of myself without regrets. He is my mentor because, like him, I aspire to achieve great things—not just for my career, but for what I contribute to society as a whole. What initially caught my interest was his avid love for art. It was something I saw as minor at first, but that was enough to build my fascination and appreciation for him today. When I read his book, Altitude, certain aspects stuck with me. It was towards the end of the book that it stated how art, like numbers, is believed to have a universal understanding. It’s not even just a belief; it is evident today, tomorrow, and yesterday.
I can’t ensure I am a communications expert, but I truly believe in this as well, and I had not noticed until reading that very section. It gave me a sense of realization on something I didn’t even know I believed until then. Art wasn’t just some simple painting or ceramic. It was a form of communication, both directly and indirectly. I could accomplish so much more while still maintaining what I am passionate about. Thus, I am now ending this journey of self-discovery with a fresh perspective. I have realized the importance of contributions and commitment, as Chester Chang is the perfect example of what dedication, sharing, and mentorship can achieve.
This is what elevates him beyond being merely a legend; he is also my mentor. In the future, I aspire to make my own contributions and inspire new generations, mirroring the impact he has had on mine. I believe I can achieve greater heights with the very same ideals he has instilled in me.