Richard Yung Chuan Yao

Richard Yung Chuan Yao passed away on Monday, May 20, 2019, in his sleep in Granada Hills, the first home he owned and lived in for the past 10 months with his daughter, son in-law, and grandchildren.

He was born in Kunming, China. He was the youngest child of his parents. He grew up with five older brothers. His brothers always looked out for him and the oldest brother, whom was 17 years older than him, was like a third parent to him.

During the revolution, he left China to Taiwan along with most of his family when he was 11 years old. While in Taiwan, he enjoyed playing various sports. One particular sport he enjoyed was being a goalie in soccer. In Taiwan, he served in the military in the Taiwan Army under the medical department. Richard attended medical school at the prestigious Kaohsiung Medical University. While in Taiwan, he was introduced to Jean Wang, by one of his brothers and his wife. While dating her, he did a dental mission in Libya and travelled Europe.

Soon after, he moved to California to join his older brother, Peter Yao. In 1972, he married the love of his life in Van Nuys, California. He started working for a dental lab while living in Anaheim, California. Two years later, they found out that they were expecting their first child. They had their first child, a boy named, Frank, in Anaheim. As soon as Richard knew he would be a father, he devoted his life to his child and wanted to give him all the opportunities in life. Three years later, he bought his first home in Granada Hills, California and opened his private dental practice in Downtown Los Angeles. A year later, Richard and Jean were expecting their second child, a girl named Jennifer. They lived in Granada Hills for another 4 years until Richard wanted to move to a community that would have a better school district for his children. He then moved to Agoura Hills, California. He remained in that residence until more recently when he moved in with his daughter and son in-law.

Richard was a hard worker and always said he would "work until he could not." After his first office in Los Angeles, he moved to a much larger office also in Downtown Los Angeles. He was in the LA area for many years until his medical school friends convinced him to move his practice to Monterey Park in the San Gabriel Valley. Circa 1989, he moved his practice and kept his office open until 2011. While working in Monterey Park, in 1996, he started additionally working for the Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department in the medical department. He retired from the county job in 2017.

Richard chose his English name after "Richard the Lionhearted." The name suited him perfectly as he was both brave and strong.

Richard is survived by his son, Frank Yao, his daughter, Jennifer Ceniza (Yao), son in-law, Jed Ceniza, and grandchildren; Jasmine Ceniza and Jeremy Ceniza. He is also survived by his brothers; Yung Ding Yao, Yung Pin Yao, Yung Ting Yao, and Nathan Yao, their spouses Jin Cai Yao, Tsao Ming Mao, and Ann Hui Chin Yao, many nieces, nephews, grandnieces, and grandnephews. He was preceded in death by his mother, Shu Yin Chen, his father, Su Chen Yao, his wife Jean Wang Yao, his sister in-law Maggie Lo Yao, his brother Peter Yao, and his sister in-law Hong Lin Yao.

Arrangements are under the direction of Forest Lawn, Glendale, California.