Good Morning,

I’m Patti Maude and I was Jerry’s boss.  Jerry was the best and smartest assistant I ever had the pleasure to work with in my 25 years of property management, but we did get off to a rocky start.

Jerry, started with us last October, and the first task he had to master was to close cabinets and drawers after himself.  This was evidently a major hurdle, as he said that his Mom had been after him his whole life to close cabinets and drawers, and he said that he drove his college roommates crazy with this little habit.  I want you to know that he was finally successful at this. 

Going forward from there, Jerry never met a stranger, and had a drive to learn that was unmatched by anyone.  We had the great fortune of working with a whole office of terrific people, but he particularly bonded with Jim Parker and Steve Wong, both building engineers at our office buildings.  Jim’s and Jerry’s desks were right next to each other, and whenever Jim was going to a tenant suite to handle a problem, or work on a piece of equipment, Jerry asked to tag along to see exactly what the issue or piece of equipment was and how Jim was going to fix it.  Jim described him as a “sponge”, soaking up information at every opportunity. 

Likewise, Steve did the same thing with Jerry except over the phone, as Steve’s building was located in a different city.  Steve and Jerry spearheaded many projects and brought them through to the finish. 

Jerry was excited, as well as able, to work closely with anyone and these two men took him under their exceptionally knowledgable wings.  

In conjunction with Ron Heim in our office, Jerry planned and promoted the most recent Red Cross Blood Drive at our building, surpassing all previous donation records we’d had.

He knew the names of everyone’s kids and asked about them regularly.

Jerry even made friends with our accountants in Washington State.  On his upcoming trip to see a college friend in Washington for a friendly Washington-UCLA rivalry, he had made plans to go hiking with two of these ladies, whom he’d never met face to face.

Jerry also felt it was important to hand deliver invoices and information to our tenants, and took time out of his buy day to do so, and in the process got to know them.  He also charmed our vendors into providing services more quickly than usual, for a better price.  Many, many tenants and vendors have expressed their deep sorrow in losing Jerry.

Lunchtime was always fun for us.  Jim and Jerry and I drifted into a pattern of eating lunch together each day while reading the LA Times and talking politics.  It got so heated sometimes that one day Jerry asked Jim “Are you going to go on a tirade today?”  Jim laughed good naturedly. 

Jerry always read the Business section during lunch.  We’d start talking about what we wanted to eat about 11:30 and then someone would make the run for the food.  Oftentimes later in the day Jerry was always up for a Starbucks run.

Jerry and I worked very closely, every day and many times late into the evening, on many, many projects, and we learned from each other.  It was an exceptional day when I didn’t learn something from Jerry, and I asked him repeatedly if he was learning from me.  He always said yes, with a smile on his face. 

We all knew that Jerry led a very full, action-packed life.  He seemed to have more activities than all of us combined – going surfing in Mexico, white water rafting, seeing all the first-run movies, having parties at his new bachelor pad, and of course, riding his motorcycle. Last Monday morning Jerry arrived at work late and I was already at the office.  He raced by saying that he didn’t hear his alarm and I wondered, hmm, what was he really up to?  When I related this to Jack last week Jack laughed and said, “We went to see “Beerfest” and then of course had to have some beers afterwards”.   I should have known.

One of the brokers in our office, Sean Austin, and I have always worked late into the evening.  With Jerry’s increasing responsibility, especially preparing annual budgets, he began working late with us, each absorbed in our respective project.  Neither Sean nor I enjoy the late hours anymore because Jerry isn’t there.

Dr. and Mrs. Chen, Jerry was a truly brilliant, one-of-a-kind young man, and you have every reason to be proud of him.  Our hearts go out to you, and to you, Andrea.  We have all lost a shining star.

Thank you for asking me to speak.  It has been an honor.

Eulogies

Appreciation Remarks from Jerry's Sister......................................................................................................Ms. Andrea Chen

From Jerry's Cousin...............................................................................................................................Ms. Claudia Chen

From Jerry's Girlfriend.................................................................................................................................Ms. Vicki Chin

From Jerry's Friend at Trammell Crow...........................................................................................................Ms. Patti Maude

From Jerry's Friend at Trammell Crow..........................................................................................................Ms. Diana Wyant

From Jerry's Brother of Lambda Phi Epsilon.......................................................................................................Dr. Jack Chen

From Jerry's Brother of Lambda Phi Epsilon.......................................................................................................Mr. Frank Ngo

From Jerry's High School Friend......................................................................................................................Mr. Peter Kim

From Jerry's High School Friend....................................................................................................................Mr. Samuel Lin

From Jerry's Friend Trammell Crow..................................................................................................................Mr. Ron Heim

Concluding Remarks From Jerry's Father.........................................................................................................Dr. Chao Chen

Back to Eulogy Home