Eulogy for Father from Daughter (Heartfelt)

Thank you all for being here today to celebrate and remember my father, David William Chen. To most of you, he was Dave—colleague, friend, neighbor, volunteer coach. To me, he was simply Dad, and he was everything.

They say daughters and their fathers have a special bond, and I can tell you that's absolutely true. From the moment I was born, my dad made it clear that I was his whole world. Mom loves telling the story of how he cried when he first held me—this tough, stoic man just completely fell apart with love.

Dad grew up as the son of immigrants. His parents came to this country with almost nothing, and they instilled in him a work ethic and gratitude that defined his entire life. He put himself through college working two jobs. He never forgot where he came from, and he never took anything for granted.

He met my mom at a community fundraiser in 1982. He volunteered to help organize it; she volunteered to help with setup. He told me he knew he'd marry her within five minutes of meeting her. It took him three months to work up the courage to ask her on a date. They were married for 41 years, and their love was the kind that made everyone around them believe in marriage.

As a father, he was involved in everything. He coached my soccer team even though he didn't know the rules at first. He learned to braid my hair by watching YouTube videos. He attended every school event, every recital, every parent-teacher conference. When I was struggling in math in high school, he sat with me every night for an entire semester until I understood it.

But it wasn't just about being present—it was about how he made me feel. He made me believe I could do anything. When I told him I wanted to be a doctor, he didn't question it for a second. He just said, "Then you'll be a great doctor." When I doubted myself, he reminded me of my strength. When I failed, he helped me learn from it. When I succeeded, no one celebrated louder.

He taught me what a man should be by being a good one. He respected my mother completely. He never raised his voice in anger. He apologized when he was wrong. He kept his promises. He showed up for people. Watching him taught me what to look for in a partner, and I'm grateful every day that I found someone who reminds me of him.

The last year has been unimaginably difficult. Watching someone you love battle cancer is watching them fight a war they didn't choose. But even as his body weakened, his spirit stayed strong. He made jokes with his nurses. He asked about our lives. He told us he loved us every single day. And two weeks before he passed, he told me, "I'm not afraid. I've had a beautiful life, and I'm so proud of the woman you've become."

Dad, you gave me everything. You gave me confidence, values, unconditional love, and the example of how to live with integrity. You taught me to work hard, to be kind, to stand up for what's right, and to never give up. Everything good in me comes from you.

To everyone here: thank you for loving my dad and for being part of his life. Please keep his memory alive by living the way he did—with generosity, humor, kindness, and love. And please remember: call your parents. Tell them you love them. Don't wait.

Dad, I love you more than words can say. You were the best father a daughter could ask for. Rest peacefully. I'll carry you in my heart forever.