Chuck,
I am greatly saddened to hear that you are no longer with us. You have always been kind and warm, and a source of strength and comfort for me during difficult times. I cannot recall how many late night lab sessions we have had together, where your wisdom and humor kept me going the extra mile. Your empathy and presence were constant sources of support for me during those times.

Your passion for science and research was inspirational, and you pushed the boundaries of knowledge greatly with your work. But for you life was always so much more than that. It was about family, friendships, relationships, people, and all the values that makes us better people. You have left the people around you better than when we first met you. I will mourn you and miss you dearly, but I wish you bon voyage on your last journey.

Ming

Chuck,
   You were such a bright light in our close and large community. Your pure passion for science, generosity in helping people and fun personality will be dearly missed but always remembered. You will continue to be an inspiration to me and many others. 

-Mark

Dear Chuck,

You will be dearly missed in the skeletal stem cell community. Thank you for your brilliant approach to science and most importantly for being such a kind person. I’ll deeply miss our time together talking science, on thesis committees, and at conferences. You let us far too soon, rest in peace.

Fondly,
Joy

Chuck - thanks for focusing on the bright sides of life, you made the world a better place - I miss you!

Chuck was always positive and giving to everyone around him. He always had a smile, a kind word, a hearty hello. He was also very generous with his time, explaining his work to me so that I could publicize it on the institute's website or promote it among journalists. The discovery of the skeletal stem cell by Chuck and his ISCBRM colleagues I think will ultimately rank as one of most important stem cell discoveries. It certainly is the discovery attracting the most public interest. As the institute's communications officer, I get at least one inquiry a day asking about his work. People with terrible stories of excruciating joint pain due to disease or accidents regularly ask if there is yet a clinical trial on cartilage regeneration using skeletal stem cells. And Chuck had a ton of ideas for new technologies and therapies to make clinical use of skeletal stem cells. Chuck's death is such a loss, most importantly for family and friends who loved and appreciated him, but also for Stanford, for society and for the future of medicine.

Dear Chuck's family, friends and colleagues,

I had the difficult task of notifying my laboratory of Chuck's untimely passing. What I wrote to them explains how we all felt about a very wonderful and unique person, who touched all of our lives.

Dear Colleagues in the Goodman lab,
It is with great personal sadness that I tell you that our close friend and collaborator Dr. Chuck Chan has passed away.
I have no words to express my grief on the passing of one of the brightest stars and “nicest guys” that I have ever known at Stanford and over my lifetime. Chuck was enormously generous with his time with me and our lab, and was always willing to help us, even with short notice. His scientific discoveries were inspirational and paradigm changing.
We will miss him greatly.
Always remembered, never forgotten.
With great sadness,
Stuart Goodman

Dear Chuck. The world is a better place, as is Hematopoietic Stem Cell research, because you were a part of it. I feel blessed to have shared with you time in the Weissman lab during your graduate studies. Your kindness, generosity and smile will be forever imprinted on us. You will be missed. Stephanie

Dear Chuckles,
I find myself deeply grieving this sad news. When we met I was in a transitional period in my life, looking for my path. Your kindness, support, and generosity were key in my finding that path and the trajectory of my career.
Brilliant, creative, innovative, tireless…. These words only scratch the surface of your character. At campus events you would always take time to speak to my wife and my young children. I remember conversations about Ben 10 and Pokémon that lit up my children’s eyes. You had this innate ability to relate to anyone. Hell, you even took time out from the lab to help my family move off campus.
I still reminisce about our long nights in the lab working on the human skeletal stem cell, our plan to brew beer for the lab retreat. I’m still brewing beer all these years later. I’ll be brewing one for you soon. Something strong and light, full of character seems appropriate.
I’ll miss you dearly old friend. Rest easy knowing that your contributions, not only your pivotal work but your generous spirit, will continue to impact the world for many years to come.
-justin

When I think about Chuck, the word that really comes to mind is generous. Chuck was always generous, with his time, stopping whatever he was doing to listen; with his brilliance, offering tips and advice on how to solve the issues at hand; with his heart, always seeing the best in people. Chuck - you will be greatly missed.

Dear Chuck,

Your brilliance illuminated our lives, and your remarkable journey has left an indelible mark on our hearts.

You were genuine, down-to-earth, and brimming with an infectious passion for discovery. You navigated the complexities of academia with grace and determination. Your sense of humor never wavered. We shared laughter over our challenges, from navigating grant applications to mentoring trainees.
Late nights in the flow cytometry suites became a familiar sight, a testament to your unwavering dedication. And those late-night conversations fueled by your relentless pursuit of knowledge will be remembered fondly.

I will forever cherish the memories we shared, the lessons we learned, and the laughter we enjoyed together.

Dear Charles

We are heartbroken to lose you. I loved you and will miss you the rest of my life. Since 2002 when we met and started working together we developed a friendship that has lasted all these years. I so much enjoyed our trips and office conversations and all the other fun events we attended together with Wan-Jin and others over the years.

Thank you for your significant contributions to medicine and for working night and day to move your research forward, your never ending kindness to others, and for your excellent character.

Linda

Dear Chuck,
The Institute will never be the same without your energy, insights, and fearless innovation. I am so saddened by your far too early passing. We will push on with your mission of bringing scientific advances to patients. My deepest condolences to your family.
Ravi

Dear Chuck,
the Stem Cell Institute will not be the same without you. Your passion for science, strength and determination were remarkable and an example to many. I will miss our conversations on tissue tolerance, grant writing, life at Stanford and much more. I will miss you! Rest in peace.
Maria Grazia

I am very saddened to learn about your sudden departure … I will always remember you as the curious young graduate student who stays up late into the night, doing the seemingly impossible experiments, sometimes looks exhausted but always with a big smile and gentle heart, always happy for others and celebrating with them when the rare success comes our way as scientists. We will miss you truly—Keith

It's been wonderful getting to know and work with you recently, even though it's been a short time. Your brilliance, support, and kindness have left a lasting impact. Your passing has left me deeply saddened; it feels too soon. You will be greatly missed.

Jie

Chuck- such a kind, sweet, generous, brilliant and bright light. 

May his memory be a blessing.

Daniel

It's hard to imagine a Stem Cell Institute without you, Chuck. For as long as I've been a part of this family, so have you. Together with so many others who loved and appreciated you, I know that we will find ways to keep your memory alive here at the Institute. My heart breaks for your family - and to them I offer my deepest condolences.
Heather Gentner

Dear Chuck,

I am so heartbroken that you are no longer here with us. I owe you so much. We will miss you every day and everything I do from here on onwards will incorporate all that you have taught me. You have left us way too soon and I am unbelievably sad that we are going to have to find ways to hope, innovate, and live happily without you. You had a brilliance and a determination that I have never seen before. And you were also incredibly kind. I am devastated, but I will also make sure that your unfinished efforts will flourish.

With sadness,
Jan

Dear Chuckles, as I stand in the shadow of your departure, my heart is heavy with grief. Your kindness, boundless generosity, and unwavering scientific curiosity have left an indelible mark on many, including me. Your infectious smile, will always remain with me, guiding me through the times.

Our conversations, rich with wisdom and laughter, are treasures I will carry close to my heart forever. You had the extraordinary gift of making everyone feel seen and appreciated, a true testament to the beautiful soul you were.

In this moment of sorrow, I find solace in the thought that your legacy of compassion and scientific intrigue will continue to inspire those who knew you. You've shown us the importance of being there for each other, and I promise to uphold that legacy in your honor.

May you find peace in the realms beyond, knowing the love and memories you've left behind will forever be cherished. Your remarkable spirit will always be remembered, and the void left by your absence will be deeply felt. I will always regret that Juni/Anushka never got to work with you. They missed out on a truly one of a kind mentor

With all my love and heartfelt remembrance,
The Sidmeister..

Dear Chuck,
It is hard to believe you are no longer with us. You were full of energy, kind and always to help and support others.
You will be missed
Jay Rajadas

Dear big brother,

You were always such a shining light in my life - and you are dearly missed already by me and many. Your life was stolen too quickly, but your flame will surely burn strong in our all of our hearts and minds forever. The impact that you have made on many through your work and your actions has been profound - and I am looking forward to seeing how this continues to shape the world for years to come. We look forward to celebrating you and commemorating you soon (with more info to be shared in the coming weeks).

Love for you always, ~Agnieszka