Dr. Cheng-Jen “Allen” Chen, 82, of Holmdel, New Jersey, passed away on March 30, 2025, after a year-long fight with bile duct cancer. He was surrounded by his wife & children at the time of passing.

Allen was born April 12, 1942 in Xi-Hu, Changhua, Taiwan, the son of Jen-Hsien and Yang Jung Chen. He was raised alongside his 10 brothers and sisters in a small, rural town where farming was the primary industry. He did not own a pair of shoes until he was in 3rd grade and would run to school barefoot in order to be the first to arrive.

Allen graduated from college at Taiwan Normal University (BA, Industrial Education “IE”), and completed his education in the U.S. at Stout State University, Menomonie (MS, Industrial Education), University of North Dakota, Grand Forks (MS, Electrical & Computer Engineering “EGE”) & University of Wisconsin, Madison (PhD, EGE). He obtained his Professional Engineer license from the State of Wisconsin in 1974.

Allen married Yang-Heh “Kathy” on August 22, 1967 in Taiwan. They were joyfully married for 57 years – residing in the home they designed together in Holmdel for the last 40 years. Their children, Tony, Steve, and Angie were born in Wisconsin, Kansas, and New Jersey, respectively. They fondly remember going fishing and crabbing, running at the Holmdel High School track, and shooting hoops on the driveway with their dad.

Allen’s career spanned over four decades at Bell Labs, AT&T, Lucent Technologies, Auctor Corp, and Teleion Wireless, and he contributed to several product developments from conception to manufacturing. Allen was an esteemed member of the Chinese Institute of Engineers, once serving as National Committee Chair, and a Life Senior Member of The Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers “IEEE” – holding numerous positions over the last 35 plus years. Allen and Kathy traveled the world with IEEE and were always planning their next destination. Allen was involved in the local community and served as Principal at the Jersey Shore Chinese School for a term. The last chapter of Allen’s career was as a real estate broker alongside his wife, Kathy, at Chen Realty.

Allen was an avid sports fan – rooting for the Green Bay Packers, Milwaukee Bucks, and Wisconsin Badgers – the state teams where he first experienced American sports. He enjoyed home improvement and was always working on projects around the house. Even during his chemo treatments over the last year, Allen still had energy to power wash his home, chop down trees, and repave the driveway. He also made it a priority to exercise every day and found pride in telling acquaintances of his daily workout regimen. Allen was resilient, hard­ working and dedicated. He had a thirst for learning and self­ improvement and always said he would ‘try his best.’

Allen and Kathy firmly believed that doing good deeds and helping others when possible were fundamental. Allen was a beloved grandfather to his 8 grandchildren, a hero to his 3 children, and a doting husband to his wife, Kathy, and will be forever missed.

Remaining to cherish Allen’s memory are spouse, Yang-Heh (Kathy); children, Yung-Chun (Tony), Yi-Chun (Steve), and Chia-Chi (Angie); their spouses, Ying, Jennilyn, and Edwin; grandchildren, Jayden (21), Grace (15), Makayla (14), Genevieve (9), Kai (9), Oliver (6), Avonlea (4), and Everett (2). He also leaves behind his siblings, among them, his brothers, Tsunjen, Kuo-Chen, Jinshing and Hung-wen; and his sisters Yanxue, Yu-Yen, Pei-Sha, Yen-Huei, Yu-Chih and Su-Yuen. Allen was preceded in death by Jen-Hsien and Yang Jung Chen, his parents.

Visitation Saturday, April 26th 1:30 pm until the time of the Memorial Service at 3:00 pm at the Holmdel Funeral Home, 26 South Holmdel Road, Holmdel.