Robert James Chin, 87, passed away peacefully on Monday, February 19, 2024 at Virginia Hospital Center in Arlington, VA. He was born November 16, 1936 in New York City, to the late Jean and Huey Toon Chin. He is preceded in death by his brother, Richard Chin, and survived by his sister, Sally Callo, and brother, Arthur Chin. On October 6, 1963 he married Margaret Chew, who preceded him in death on November 18, 2021.

Robert is survived by his three daughters: Catherine Chin and her husband, Ed of Honolulu, HI, Carol Chin and her husband, Michael, of Arlington VA, and Christina Chin and her husband Jeffrey, of New York, NY, and five grandchildren: Joseph Johnson, Emily Flynn, Julia Flynn, Anthony Bacidore and Sofia Bacidore.

Robert graduated from Forest Hills High School and Pratt Institute with a degree in Architecture. He then served in the United States Army for six years, where he earned the rank of Captain. He was assigned to the US Army Corps of Engineers where he led the Atomic Demolition Munitions Team. After marrying Margaret and working as an architect in New York, Robert made the decision to move his family to Cleveland, OH and continue architecture with his colleague, Thomas T.K. Zung, who eventually founded Buckminster Fuller, Sadao & Zung Architects. He spent many years there before establishing his own firm, Kohanski, Arnold & Chin Architects.

Robert loved and valued spending time with his family. There were frequent road trips to State College, PA to visit the Wong family, as well as New York City to visit his parents and siblings. He took pleasure in family vacations where he could enjoy and explore new places. He had a passion for learning and figuring out how things worked. And he was genuinely interested in what people had to say. He frequently asked questions, not just to make small talk, but because he was curious. Robert was a truly unique individual who always believed that anyone could accomplish anything with hard work and a positive attitude. His legacy will continue with everyone that had the pleasure to know him.

Robert will be interred alongside Margaret in Arlington National Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation to the Davis Phinney Foundation for Parkinson’s.