Derek Chiou, Professor at The University of Texas at Austin’s Chandra Family Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering, died while traveling to be with family on December 26, 2024. The Texas ECE community mourns this tragic loss.
"With Derek's sudden and untimely passing, we are losing not only a loyal friend and colleague, and a dedicated mentor to his students, but also a full of life, wonderful human being," said Diana Marculescu, chair, Chandra Family Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering.
Born in 1968, Derek Chiou was the eldest son of Dr. Jiunn Chiou and Rita Lin. He grew up in Michigan, where he discovered lifelong passions for computing and fast cars. Derek graduated from high school and went on to study at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT), where he received his Bachelor’s, Master’s, and Doctoral degrees in Electrical Engineering and Computer Science. During his years at MIT, Derek developed a close community of friends, whose connections he nurtured throughout his life, while continuing to form additional meaningful friendships. After earning his PhD, the newly-minted Dr. Derek Chiou worked for several years as a systems architect for Avici Systems. He next joined the faculty at the University of Texas, Austin (UT), and several years later took a leave of absence to work at Microsoft as a Partner Hardware Architect. In 2020, Derek returned to UT as a full professor and was honored with the Temple Foundation Endowed Teaching Fellowship in Engineering, a position he held until the time of his passing.
In 2017, Derek married the love of his life, Angie Liu, in a joyful celebration in Angie’s hometown of Los Angeles. Over the next few years, they balanced their time between Austin, Seattle and Los Angeles before settling on a home together in Austin.
He is remembered for his generosity, warmth, and ability to be a patient listener and thoughtful problem-solver. He was always willing to lend a hand or an ear, offering kindness and deep empathy in times of need.
He will be deeply missed by all who knew him as a loving husband, a true friend, a supportive mentor, a devoted uncle, a caring brother and son, and a man of genuine kindness. He is preceded in death by his father, Jiunn Chiou. He is survived by his wife, Angie Liu, his mother, Rita (spouse Brian) Wood, and his brother, Jeff (spouse Lyndie) Chiou, and his nieces, nephew, and godchildren.
Derek’s family invite you to share cherished memories and stories of Derek on the tribute website:
https://www.kudoboard.com/boards/dT6V2UEV
Services will be held on:
Saturday, January 11, 2025
Location:
Weed Corley Fish funeral home
5416 Parkcrest Drive
Austin, TX 78731
Schedule:
10:00 AM Viewing
11:00 AM Celebration of Life
In memory of Derek's passion for education, donations to the Derek Chiou Memorial Fund at either Massachusetts Institute of Technology or University of Texas are welcome.
Giving to The University of Texas at Austin
https://giving.utexas.edu/chiou
Instructions for Giving:
1. Click the link, which will direct you to a donation page.
2. Select "Engineering Area of Opportunity (Donor Specifies)" and click the "Add" button.
3. Fill out the required fields in the "My Gifts" section, then click the "Your Information" button.
4. On the next page, complete the additional gift information fields.
5. On the right-hand side of this page, you’ll see a "Gift Comments" box. Ensure the box contains:
"In memory of Derek Chiou. (405, 99)"
This ensures the gift is applied to the Electrical and Computer Engineering (ECE Department) in memory of Dr. Chiou.
6. Click the "Proceed to Payment" button to complete the process
Giving to the Massachusetts Institute of Technology
Derek Chiou (1989) Memorial Fund.
Checks should be made payable to MIT and mailed to: Massachusetts Institute of Technology, PO Box 412926, Boston MA 02241.
Please indicate the gift is in memory of Derek Chiou for the Derek Chiou (1989) Memorial Fund. Credit card gifts may be made using the following link: https://giving.mit.edu/derek-chiou.
Contact: Brenda Richard, MIT Memorial Gifts at memorial-gifts-office@mit.edu or 617-253-0022.
