Charles Chang-Wei Lin

Charles Chang-Wei Lin, 66, passed away peacefully Sunday, December 9, 2018, at his home in Albuquerque, New Mexico with his family by his side. Charles Lin was a man of humble origins and great accomplishments and is the epitome of the American dream. By the age of 10, he had developed a great interest in Chinese martial arts and culture, a passion that would remain with him all his life. He courageously immigrated to the United States from Taiwan in 1974 and married Synthia, the woman of his dreams, in 1975. Together in 1976, they built the Chinese Culture Center & Lin’s Martial Arts Academy, the first traditional Kung Fu and Tai Chi school in Albuquerque. The school opened up a gateway to share Chinese culture with New Mexico. Even more amazingly, through the school, he ended up bringing together a community of people who are truly a family. He had a positive influence on so many lives and showed us the meaning of perseverance in the face of bitter obstacles. He was diagnosed with brain cancer in 2003 with recurrence in 2014, yet he always had the best attitude through it all. He fought silently and never complained of his hardships but supported many with theirs. Charles will be remembered as a loving husband, father, doting grandfather, sifu, master, teacher, mentor, and friend. All can relate stories of the wonderful impact he had on their lives. His dreams, efforts, and teachings will never be forgotten and will live on through his family, friends, and students. Let us treasure the lessons and the strength that he left to us. Charles is survived by his lovely wife, Synthia; daughters, Vanessa and Tiffany and husband Nathan; grandchildren, Alice and Adam; mother, Zhou Zhu-Hong; brothers, Lin Shi-Yao and Lin Shi-Liang; and sisters, Lin Ming-Zhen and Lin Fan-Zhen.