MONONA- Charlie Pyng, 45, died unexpectedly on Thursday, Sept. 15, 2022, while doing the job he loved.

An optimist through and through, Charlie’s greatest happiness in life was helping others see the good in the world around them.

Charlie was born on July 1, 1977, outside of Seoul, South Korea, to Chinese parents, Shiy Chang Pyng and Shiy Fen Pyng (née Wang). In the mid-1980s, the Pyngs joined family in Milwaukee and soon opened their own restaurant.

Named Yih-Lon Pyng at birth, he later chose the American name Charlie. On just his second date with his future wife, he told her he regretted not choosing the name Max because as a child he thought “Max Pyng” sounded like the name of a cool secret agent. She decided at that moment to give that name to any son they might have. (They did.)

Charlie graduated from Catholic Memorial High School in Waukesha where he competed in varsity tennis and fencing. He represented Wisconsin in the U20 Mens’s Sabre at the 1996 Junior Olympics. At Carroll University, he studied psychology and art while captaining the tennis team. He later left law school to follow his passion for teaching art.

Charlie spent all but two months of his teaching career in the Monona Grove School District, teaching at Glacial Drumlin Middle School and Monona Grove High School.

He coached JV girls’ and varsity boys’ tennis, as well as advised the Anime Club and the Asian Club.

He was described by colleagues as “the kind of teacher other teachers would aspire to be” and by students as a “positive light and inspiration.” He had the rare ability to find the good in every situation without false reassurance, acknowledging the hurt as he found ways to empathize. He prided himself on having an even temper, always looking out for the kids who needed someone in their corner. Students who had never taken an art class or participated in extracurriculars recalled Charlie sharing his time with them between classes.

Charlie loved his wife, Josie, unconditionally. They weathered the storms of life together: not always unshaken, but forever unbroken. Married in 2010, they looked forward to their children attending school where their dad worked. Max and Nina had started their education; Cece joined the family six months ago, sharing her father’s image and his sense of humor.

He adored their children with his entire heart and soul. The kids filled their home with laughter and delight, and Charlie was always in the middle of the joke.

Charlie is also survived by his mother, Shiy Fen Pyng; and his older sisters, Ling Pyng Hamblin and Shirley Pyng; as well as nephews, Mathew Hamblin and Callum Bunzel and expected niece, Cambria Anderson. He was preceded in death by his father, Shiy Chang Pyng; and two unborn daughters, privately named Shiylee and Ivy by their parents.

Through the many lives he touched, Charlie’s legacy remains big, bold, and beautiful.

A visitation will be open to the public at GUNDERSON EAST FUNERAL AND CREMATION CARE, 5203 Monona Drive, Madison, from 1:30 p.m. until 4 p.m. on Tuesday, Sept. 20, 2022. Details about a private funeral ceremony and a separate public memorial will follow at a later time

A GoFundMe to assist the Pyng family has been set up at https://gofund.me/6507543a

Online condolences may be made at www.gundersonfh.com.

Gunderson East

Funeral & Cremation Care

5203 Monona Drive

(608) 221-5420

Charles Pyng

July 01, 1977 - September 15, 2022

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