STATEMENT: Rep. Dave Min Announces Passing of His Mother, Heikyung “HK” Chun Min

September 2, 2026 Press Release Irvine, CA — Representative Dave Min, his father Brian Byung Kon (BK) Min, and his brother Andrew Min released the following statement upon the passing of Rep. Min’s mother, Heikyung “HK” Chun Min: “Heikyung “HK” Chun Min passed away the evening of Saturday, August 29, after a long and hard-fought battle with pancreatic cancer. She died during her sleep in her longtime home in Palo Alto, with her immediate family all by her side. She was 79 years old. HK was born in Incheon, South Korea on July 12, 1947, the 3 rd of 5 children, and grew up in Busan. She later moved to Seoul for her high school studies after she was accepted to Sookmyung Girls High School. She went on to attend Seoul National University, where she earned a bachelor of science degree in chemistry. In 1972, HK was one of a handful of Koreans chosen for a scholarship program to study in the United States. One of the other people selected was Brian Byung Kon (BK) Min, who was a fellow Seoul National University graduate. They enrolled in graduate studies together at Brown University (her in chemistry, him in mechanical engineering) in Providence, Rhode Island. They were married in 1973 and had their first child, Dave, in 1976 before moving to Ithaca, New York, for their post-doctoral fellowships at Cornell University. Their second son Andrew was born there in 1979. In 1979, the Min family moved to California. HK was one of the first engineers and executives in Silicon Valley’s semiconductor industry, advancing to senior positions at Fairchild Semiconductor and then National Semiconductor, where she worked until her retirement. She was one of the original “super-moms,” balancing a vibrant career with being a wife and mom. Her kids remember her being home by 5pm on most days to watch them and prepare dinner. HK lit up a room when she walked in, with her incredible bubbling energy and keen sense of humor. She was whip smart and enjoyed all manners of logic puzzles, a habit that her sons have both picked up. She was incredible with a hula hoop and would sometimes hula hoop for hours for exercise. She enjoyed long hikes, typically walking twice a day even up until the weeks before her death, and she loved to travel. She was a longtime volunteer at nearby Gunn High School, where her sons both attended. She is survived by her two brothers Woongbaik Chun and Woongjin Chun, both based in Seoul, Korea; her husband of 53 years BK, who is retired; her son Dave, a US Congressman, and his wife Jane Stoever; her son Andrew, a pediatrician, and his wife Melissa Wheeler; and her grandchildren Zachary Min, Theodore Min, Niko Min, Emerson Min, and Paxton Min. She was a wonderful wife, mother, and Halmoni. She will be sorely missed.” ###