John Bien

John D. Bien, Bridgewater, NJ – John (Dow-Ming) Bien, 84, died peacefully on Friday, February 5, 2021 at his home in Bridgewater with his family by his side. John was born to his late parents, Soon Show Bien and In Mei Yao in Shanghai,China. The family moved to Taiwan and Pakistan before immigrating to the United States in 1962. John earned his Bachelor’s and Master’s degree in Chemical Engineering from Newark College of Engineering (now New Jersey Institute of Technology). As a Chemical Engineer, one of his proud accomplishments was being awarded a patent for pigment when he was working at Inmont Corporation. He retired in 1994 after working at BASF for 28 years. John met the love of his life, Edith, in Philadelphia and together they raised 3 children. The family settled in New Jersey; living in Belleville, Nutley and Livingston before settling in Bridgewater where they have lived for 42 years. 

John was the consummate engineer and loved figuring things out, whether it was finishing a basement, fixing family cars, or converting the backseat of the family station wagon into a makeshift bed for those long family trips. He was also a “culinary” engineer, teaching his wife how to cook and creating dishes for family dinners as well as the many holiday parties hosted for friends. Following retirement, John and his wife travelled extensively, visiting countries in Asia, Europe, and many islands in the Caribbean.

John is survived by his beloved wife of 52 years, Edith; his loving children Elaine and her husband Stephen McKay of San Mateo, CA; David and his wife Amanda of Denville, NJ; and Edward and his wife Hazel of Summit, NJ. He was a devoted grandfather to his seven  grandchildren--Zachary, Zoe, Brianna, Alyssa, Andrew, Cameron, and Emilie who lovingly called him “YeYe”. He is also survived by his caring sister Doris and her husband John Fretwell of Essex, England.

Due to Covid-19, a private service will be held at St. Bernard’s Church in Bridgewater, NJ. Interment will be at Somerset Hills Memorial Park in Basking Ridge, N.J. 

In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to the American Kidney Fund. More information can be found on their website.

https://www.kidneyfund.org/get-involved/ways-to-give/memorials-and-tributes.html?source=google&medium=cpc&campaign=brand&gclid=Cj0KCQiA34OBBhCcARIsAG32uvNvcw8xUfYWw0W3U02lTgHvT5I8gM2Xjs24uB6QhM2DkOBd1Qug-CYaAuYHEALw_wcB

To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of John Bien, please visit our floral store.