Remembering Dr. Ken Chew: A Collection of Memories
Dr. Kenneth Chew
Ken was a visionary, a valued colleague, and a mentor and friend to many. His fierce advocacy for sustainable aquaculture has had considerable impacts on industry and on state, regional, and federal agencies and policies. Many of these impacts are based on the relationships that Ken developed with state and federal legislators and regulators, seemingly effortlessly. His passion for shellfish and the achievements of his research program still resonate, and his legacy is reflected in and respected by the vibrant community of shellfish researchers and shellfish growers on the west coast and elsewhere in the United States.
Others, who have a longer history of working with Ken, can better describe some of his specific professional achievements. I only knew Ken for less than 20 years, far shorter that the many people who are also grieving at his passing. I didn’t work alongside Ken—in 2004, I became his successor as executive director of the Western Regional Aquaculture Center (WRAC), which has been hosted by the School of Aquatic and Fishery Sciences (SAFS) since the start of the national RAC program in 1987.
It is no exaggeration to state that Ken’s efforts were instrumental in the establishment of the U.S. Department of Agriculture/National Institute of Food and Agriculture (USDA/NIFA)-funded national RAC program. He was tireless in promoting his vision for a regionally based funding program in which members of industry could work together with the research and extension communities to overcome barriers to the responsible development of the domestic aquaculture industry. Why UW, among five regional centers, is the only host institution that is not a land grant university (to the chagrin of some of those institutions at that time) is in itself a testament to Ken’s disarming passion and advocacy for the School, for UW, and for all things aquaculture.
Ken was gracious and hospitable during my early days at SAFS, gently taking me under his wing during our travels. On those trips, I quickly learned that Ken had a fondness for free coffee at specific I-5 highway rest areas (which gave me instant heartburn) and that he was both a gourmet and a gourmand, a keen chef with a prodigious appetite for all kinds of shellfish, an avid hunter and fisherman, and a devoted family man.
Ken enjoying one of his favorite pastimes with his son Curtis and grandson Bradford (circa 2004).
Ken introduced me to many of his contacts in Olympia and in Washington, DC. What struck me at that time was the dazzling diversity of folks—from young staffers to legislators—who greeted Ken warmly, sometimes with a hug. Ken, I realized, was blessed with a prodigious memory of everyone he interacted with, and the uncommon but characteristic empathy he displayed to all was at the core of his being.
Ken enjoying a favorite treat
Ken’s legacy within the School lives on with the Professor Kenneth K. Chew Endowed Professorship, which was established in 2004 through the contributions of many donors from all walks of life. Ken’s passion and support for younger scientists is manifested in his desire that endowment funds be used to support visits of eminent shellfish researchers to the School where they could spend quality time with younger researchers.
Ken’s remarkable efforts in developing a world class program of shellfish research at SAFS and his efforts to help develop the US shellfish farming industry have been recognized through many awards. In honor of his work, the Kenneth K. Chew Center for Shellfish Research and Restoration was opened in 2014 at NOAA’s Northwest Fisheries Science Center’s Manchester Research Station. Several of our faculty and students are undertaking collaborative research at this facility.
During the first WRAC meeting that I chaired as director, a member of one of WRAC’s committees told me that I had very big shoes to fill. By that time, I knew Ken well enough to laugh and inform that person that anyone who thinks they could fill Ken’s shoes was either stupid, delusional, or both. That’s as true now as it was then.
Graham Young, Professor, SAFS and Executive Director, WRAC
Like so many of his students, I owe my career to Ken. When I graduated, he introduced me to Dick Steele with Rock Point Oyster Company. That was the beginning of 40+ years and counting working in the shellfish industry and loving every day of it. I am blessed to have had Ken (aka Dr. Shellfish) as a mentor and friend and am forever indebted to him. Ken was immensely proud of his students, never failing to call them out and sing their praises whenever he had the chance.
Bill Dewey, Director of Public Affairs, Taylor Shellfish Farms
Dr. Chew, the person that made sure people were part of the science—students, industry members, Tribes, and colleagues. People were always at the heart of his work, and he stressed that in every project and in the classes he taught. On day one of his FISH 405 class, Dr. Chew asked students assembled in the auditorium to look to their right and explained that that individual would one day be their boss and then to their left and explained they would be the person they would lead. These many years later, I can tell you I still remember that day…and his words came true.
Ken Chew with Don Weitkamp (MS, 1971; PhD, 1977) with field trip results (1970s).
Dr. Chew taught students and staff members to listen to and value each other, to listen for and value different perspectives, to work together, to help others, to share, and that if we saw something that looked unusual or was unexplained to never stop searching for answers. He not only taught us about shellfish and how to be a good scientist, but also about being a good human being. In his classes and on his project teams, you were part of a family. We often sat together at large dining tables eating amazing food. Everyone in the family had a unique name that he gave us, and although we might not address each other that way, when Dr. Chew said “Big Joe” or ‘”Hot Shot,” you knew exactly who he was talking about. Unfortunately, when I moved off campus, my office team didn’t know this and thought he was a prank caller until I explained I was “The Kid.”
To this day, I am fortunate to work outside the walls of the UW with people that have experienced the “Dr. Chew school.” Together, we are able to accomplish amazing things despite whatever side of the table we might be sitting on because of our shared values. We often go out for a meal after a long intense meeting and that usually confounds folks that just don’t understand how we can argue and then share fellowship together. For those that didn’t have the opportunity to be part of Dr. Chew’s work or classes, I hope that you can join the extended family, as those of us that were former students and staff are committed to continuing his teachings and legacy. His passing has brought us together even more closely.
I am grateful that I was asked to work with Dr. Chew on a project in the Fish/Ocean Library on my first day at the UW back on September 24, 1981. Little did I know how our work together would change my life forever and lead to a lifelong friendship. Today is Friday morning, my tea is ready and yet my phone won’t be ringing for our weekly chat, and I won’t hear “Hey Kid”…
Teri King, Aquaculture and Marine Water Quality Specialist, Washington Sea Grant
I knew and had the highest regard for Ken Chew as a colleague and friend. I first met Ken when I was in graduate school. He and my major professor, Winston Menzel (Florida State University) were among the most highly recognized molluscan researchers, certainly in North America, and arguably in the world. Ken was instrumental in establishing commercial oyster culture in various states and internationally. To meet Ken was to have a new friend. He loved teaching and working with students. He was a devoted father and husband. I learned after knowing him for several years that he was an accomplished taxidermist. His focus was on birds as subjects. That made sense as he was an avid bird hunter.
After I joined the faculty and became director of the (then) School of Fisheries in the mid-1980s, I was delighted to have the opportunity to work with Ken. One of our collaborations involved the development of the Western Regional Aquaculture Center (WRAC), one of five regional centers that were being established by the U.S. Department of Agriculture. Ken was named as director of WRAC, and I was named to the Board of Directors. Each of the five regional centers had a director based, I think with one exception, at a university that had a College of Agriculture. That exception was WRAC at the University of Washington (UW) and demonstrated the stature of Ken Chew at the national level.
DEBBIE GRANGER
Ken Chew, former executive director of WRAC and professor emeritus at the University of Washington, shares with the WRAC Board of Directors and his wife Maegan, a personal story of his trip to China where he was able to visit his family’s former home.
A few months after I arrived at the UW, Ken invited me to go duck hunting with him. He provided a pair of hip waders, which I needed due to not only the cold water, but also the cold weather at the time. I put on the waders and sloshed through shallow water to get to the duck blind. I quickly learned that Ken had given me waders that leaked! I’m not sure if that was a practical joke, but in any case, Ken showed little interest in my plight, so I suspect he chuckled a lot behind my back. I subsequently turned my back on duck hunting and concentrated on salmon fishing as a hobby.
After leaving the UW, I often met Ken at least once a year at meetings of the World Aquaculture Society, where he was always a center of attention. He was a prolific publisher in various scientific journals, featuring research on oysters, but also other molluscs, including geoducks. Ken was always willing to provide advice to commercial, private, and state agency mollusc aquaculturists.
Based on the many tributes to Ken in various scientific publications, it is clear that he was a giant among aquaculturists, and while I mourn his loss, I know I am only one among thousands who knew Ken personally or through his publications and who join me in missing him.
Robert R. (Bob) Stickney, Director of SAFS, 1985-1991, Professor Emeritus, Texas A&M University
Dear Auntie Maegan and Uncle Ken, you are both incredibly and deeply missed by all who had the priviilege of know you.