Arthur Demaray Wang
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Arthur Demaray Wang

  • June 14, 1942 - December 12, 2011
  • Palo Alto, California
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Memories & Candles

“In a moment of nostalgia I entered Art's name into the internet to reestablish contact, and was deeply saddened to learn of Art's demise. I...Read More » ”
1 of 39 | Posted by: Bob Turner - Reno, NV - Friend

“I miss you, Grandpa! ”
2 of 39 | Posted by: Kira Wang - San Francisco, CA

“Alex and I will miss you, Art ”
3 of 39 | Posted by: Evelyn Au - Shenzhen, China

“Rest in peace Arthur. ”
4 of 39 | Posted by: Shirley Wang - Chandler, AZ

“Dear Art: We are all miss you and look forward to the day we can meet you again. Again, many thanks you helped my family out from Saigon a few...Read More » ”
5 of 39 | Posted by: Henry T. Chau - Chino Hills, CA

“my deepest sympathies to the Wang family at this sad time. Love Julie ”
6 of 39 | Posted by: Julie Villenueve - Pleasanton, CA

“Arthur, my dearest consin, you are alway in my mind and in my memories. You are now rest in heaven forever. Dear Katherine, Elaine, Richard & Steven...Read More » ”
7 of 39 | Posted by: Joseph & Sophia Young - CA

“My heart goes out to you and your family. You are in my thoughts and prayers. ”
8 of 39 | Posted by: Margaret Preslik - Danville, CA

“Our deepest sympathies to the entire Wang family. ”
9 of 39 | Posted by: Don & Amy Ricci - Lodi, CA

“Our deepest sympathies to the entire Wang family. ”
10 of 39 | Posted by: Don & Amy Ricci - Lodi, CA

“Condolences ”
11 of 39 | Posted by: Tracey Dron - Isleton, CA

“Be blessed ”
12 of 39 | Posted by: Gloria Perkins - Hayward, CA

“Nice ceremony. Thanks for sending this. ”
13 of 39 | Posted by: Tony - Oakland, CA

“A generous hearted man ”
14 of 39 | Posted by: Anne Saldich - San Mateo, CA

“Art was an important part of my teenage years -- may all remember Art for his intellect, good humor and goodness -- May God give strength to his...Read More » ”
15 of 39 | Posted by: Don Sutherland - San Antonio, TX

“Dad - I love you forever! ”
16 of 39 | Posted by: Elaine - San Ramon, CA - Daughter

“love you art and katherine ”
17 of 39 | Posted by: Ronald Gross - Las Vegas, NV

“We love Art Len and Joan Perrone ”
18 of 39 | Posted by: Leonard and Joan Perrone - CA

“Thank you, Art, Katherine and family for sharing in your journey. We share in your loss. Love, Nancy ”
19 of 39 | Posted by: Nancy Porter - Carmel Valley, CA

“Art was a warm, funny and kind man, and lots of fun to hang out with. I will miss him very much. ”
20 of 39 | Posted by: Ron Baker - Palo Alto, CA

“Art, we love you. Thanks for the chess lessons. Don and Sharon ”
21 of 39 | Posted by: Don and Sharon Erskine - Houston, TX

“I"m sorry I couldn't be there Katherine. I had to tend to the office. No coverage. But I"m there in mind and spirit. Many hugs and prayer to you and...Read More » ”
22 of 39 | Posted by: America Sosa - Palo Alto, CA

“Condolences ”
23 of 39 | Posted by: Michael Knych - Palo Alto, CA

“Deepest condolences. God bless you Katherine. We are thinking of you. Heidi ”
24 of 39 | Posted by: Heid - New York, NY

“My deepest condolences for Mrs. Wang. Art will trully be missed and remembered. Love-America ”
25 of 39 | Posted by: America Sosa - Palo Alto, CA

“Our deepest sympathies and condolences for the family's loss; although we only knew Art for a brief time, his engaging personality and warmth was...Read More » ”
26 of 39 | Posted by: Walter Lim - Palo Alto, CA

“Our deepest sympathies and condolences for the family's loss; although we only knew Art for a brief time, his engaging personality and warmth was...Read More » ”
27 of 39 | Posted by: Walter Lim - Palo Alto , CA

“Arthur, You had been very brave to fight to the end and to be around for those nearest to you. In your times of pain and agony, you could still...Read More » ”
28 of 39 | Posted by: Jasmine Ng - Singapore

“Arthur, I will miss your smile, engaging conversations, your humor as well as your serenade of the Tennessee Waltz despite being in pain in late...Read More » ”
29 of 39 | Posted by: Jennifer Wee - Singapore

“I consider myself extremely fortunate to have had Art enter my life seven years ago. He was teaching chess at a senior center in Palo Alto. We hit...Read More » ”
30 of 39 | Posted by: Cole Erskine

“Art was a classmate of mine all through junior high school and high school. I shared many classes with him, and I was very happy to re-establish...Read More » ”
31 of 39 | Posted by: Ray Vermeulen - Corona, CA

“Since we met professionally over twenty-five years ago, Art has been one of my closest friends. I have tremendous respect for his intellect and have...Read More » ”
32 of 39 | Posted by: Mike Sadler - Boise, ID - Friend

“Arthur, You have been a great addition to the family and we will miss you, your smile, jokes, and engaging conversations tremendously. I am glad...Read More » ”
33 of 39 | Posted by: Adeline Wee - Singapore

“"May his memory be eternal" his smile is embeded on my heart, Thank you Art for giving us Elaine. ”
34 of 39 | Posted by: connie lekas-lecatsas aka yiayia - CA

“In 1984, Art and I joined Vitelic Corp. He as our CFO and I as the President Assistant. Since the others who had been employed prior to us joining...Read More » ”
35 of 39 | Posted by: Barb Crumbacher - Decatur, GA

“A truer friend I don't think one could have then Art. Art was smart, fun, interesting and just a joy to know and be around. He was always up to...Read More » ”
36 of 39 | Posted by: Von billman - friend

“Art was initially one of my corporate law clients. A faster study and more balanced client did not exist. He was fair, just and fun to work with. ...Read More » ”
37 of 39 | Posted by: John B. Goodrich - CA - attorney

“I first met Art and the US Open Chess Championship in 1960 in St. Louis. Our friendship grew from there and we have enjoyed many great chess battles...Read More » ”
38 of 39 | Posted by: Ronald J. Gross - Las Vegas, , NV

“Art was my friendand I will miss him very much. He always had a smile and made anyone around him feel welcome. I remember that I missed the last...Read More » ”
39 of 39 | Posted by: John A Blackstone - Las Vegas, NV


Arthur Demaray Wang (Art) entered into eternal rest on Monday, 12 December 2011 at 1903 hour with wife, Katherine, family members and close friends at his side after a prolonged 18 months battle with esophageal cancer.
A resident of Palo Alto since 1978, Art was born on 14 June 1942 in Chungking (now Chongqing), China. He came to the United States in 1946 with his mother, Mrs. Charlotte Wang, and older brother, Harvey. His father, Wang Peng-Sheng, stayed behind as head of security for Chiang Kai-shek and died in May 1946. Mrs. Wang, and her two sons ended up in Berkeley, where Art grew up and helped his mother in her grocery store, stocking ice cream.

Art graduated from Berkeley High School at 16 and earned his BS and MBA (1973) from UC Berkeley. Art enlisted in the Army in 1962, got married and started a family with Shirley, his first wife and mother of his three children. He subsequently returned to Vietnam on 1975 to evacuate 19 family members one day prior to the fall of Saigon.

Art was a chess master when chess masters were few and far between. Art learned to play chess at a Koltanowski chess festival in Sonoma. Koltanowski was an extremely active chess promoter. When Art was a kid, there was always some place to play chess in Northern California. He became a regular at the Berkeley YMCA and, later, at the Mechanics' Institute of San Francisco. He also lectured extensively on chess as a volunteer.

Art participated in the 1957 US Junior, which was won by Bobby Fischer. Art later won the California Junior Championship in 1960 and earned the title of U.S. Chess Federation Life Master. Art considered a 1960 Mechanics' tournament to be his best ever. He tied for first with Bill Addison, who later became one of the leading players in the United States.

Art returned to chess as a member of the famous Castle Club in the late 1960's. Members would take turns hosting events in their homes and Art recalled those days fondly. Those were good memories, in part, because he won or was co-champion of the club nine times.

Art had many other hobbies, including pool, archery, knife and axe throwing, and shooting . Golf was his passion, as were games of chance. Though he loved golf, it was his worst game; one mutual friend said it was more like watching polo, but he was very good at betting. Whenever he was behind, he would offer a new bet, and more often than not, would figure out a way to break even, if not come out ahead. Friends recall Art as being willing to bet on sporting events of every kind and almost anything else, including which elevator would arrive first!

Art was a financial executive and worked in public accounting (PriceWaterhouse Coopers), banking (First National Bank of Chicago and Bank of America), and high technology companies including Vitelic and SanDisk.

Art and Katherine met in Singapore and were married in February 1979. Together they enjoyed travels throughout Asia, Europe, Argentina and the U.S.
Art worked and lived in various countries including the Philippines, Hong Kong, Singapore, Malaysia, and Thailand. To all work, play and family time, he brought his unique zest for living, along with a quick wit, charm, humor and unquenchable curiosity and appreciation of the world around him. He was a man of remarkable spirit, and will be greatly missed.

Art was preceded in death by his father, mother, and brother. He is survived by wife, Katherine, and his children Elaine Moal (Michael), Richard Wang, and Steven Wang (Rita), and grandchildren Kira, Rex, and Tyler.

Memorial gifts may be sent to: American Cancer Society at www.cancer.org, American Heart Association at www. heart.org, Hospice of the Valley at www.hospicevalley.org, or Grace Presbyterian Church at www.gracepres.com.