Chanson Aiono Ching

Chanson Aiono Ching passed away at home early Sunday morning on September 21 at the age of 84. He was born in Pu’unene, Maui, Hawaii on June 14, 1941, attended Catholic school during his elementary years and, beginning in 8th grade, studied at the residential Kamehameha School for Boys in Kapalama Heights above Honolulu. In his senior year, he was student body secretary and co-captain of the rifle team, graduating in 1959. He then served in the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers as a draftsman for three years.

In 1962 he began studies at the College of San Mateo, California, then transferred in 1964 to the University of California at Berkeley, where he majored in sculpture, studying with Peter Voulkos for his B.A. in 1968. That year he also married fellow art student and sculptor, Susan Newell. At the University of Montana he studied with sculptor Rudi Autio for his MFA in 1970. He and Susan relocated to remote Chimisal, New Mexico, where Chanson built an adobe kiln and their first child, Isami, was born.

Returning to Montana, Chanson was appointed as Resident Potter at the Yellowstone Art Center in Billings for two years, then continued as an Artist in the Schools, where he led workshops in ceramics for two years in Great Falls, followed by residencies at Butte, Glendive and Bozeman. Their second child, China, was born in Great Falls. He also was a ceramic arts instructor at Eastern Montana College in Billings and Great Falls, and was a guest artist at Montana State University. His ceramics have been exhibited in New York, Washington D.C., California, and Arizona, along with numerous exhibits throughout Montana and other western states, and his works are held in several public and private collections.

Chanson also pursued his interest in still photography and film production. He joined the Bozeman Film Festival in 1992 and brought a series of Asian films to the Bozeman screen. He worked as assistant camera and grip on several film productions at MSU. In 1992, his first marriage came to an end. He worked as a rural mail carrier in Belgrade from 1992 to 2007.

Once retired, Chanson travelled to Alaska with his partner Doris Loeser, a film maker and school counselor, whom he married at Hyalite’s Grotto Falls in 2005. While living on Prince of Wales Island, he avidly fished for salmon, explored the country and made artwork for Doris’s counseling program. On the North Slope, he hunted for ptarmigan on the tundra with his two Black Labrador Retrievers, Hokulele and Nalulele. The couple’s interest in sailing eventually led from sailing on Canyon Ferry Lake to starting a second home in Port Townsend, WA in 2018, where he and Doris bought a sailboat and practiced in the nearby bay until the summer of 2024.

Chanson was also devoted to reading, woodworking, and gardening, and was active in white water kayaking, Aikido, and Tai Chi. He had a deep understanding of his Chinese, Japanese and Hawaiian heritage. He was a dedicated artist in everything that he did, especially in his ceramics, carpentry, and sailing. For many years, he always had a well-trained dog at his side. He told wonderful stories about his Maui childhood and other adventurous times. Chanson has many loyal friends and family who will remember his lovely smile and his warm presence.

Chanson was preceded in death by his father, Chan Ching, and his mother Rena Apo Ching, of Kahului, Maui, HI. He is survived by his wife Doris Loeser of Port Townsend, WA, his son Isami Ching, daughter-in-law Charlene Liu, and granddaughters Rifka and Florence, of Eugene, OR, his daughter China Ching of Bozeman, MT, his sister Drena P. Ching, of Kahului, Maui, HI and his sister Charen L. Ching, of Mesa, AZ. Cremation took place at the Dahl Funeral Home, and he will be buried at the Makawao Veterans Cemetery on Maui, HI. A service and reception on Maui will be announced at a later date. For information about a gathering in Bozeman, please contact Doris Loeser at 406-580-5445.