Obituary for
Hyung Je Yeon, MD
HOPEWELL JUNCTION – Hyung Je Yeon, MD, 84, a beloved physician and area resident since 1981, died on September 19, 2016 at New York Presbyterian Hospital. Dr. Yeon previously lived in Corning, NY and Wingdale, NY.
Born in Korea on July 6, 1932, Dr. Yeon was the son of the late Si Jung Yeon, a scholar and calligrapher, and U.C. Kim. Dr. Yeon received his undergraduate degree from Yonsei University; he received a Doctor of Medicine degree from Severance Medical School in Seoul, Korea where he also conducted research in the area of Physiology. After coming to the United States, Dr. Yeon continued his biomedical research at Columbia University. Having attained board certification in New York and Maine, Dr. Yeon was appointed Director of Harlem Valley Hospital, a position he held with his wife, Woon Bok Yeon, MD. Later in private practice, Dr. Yeon was a prominent physician in Corning, NY and Hopewell Junction, NY. He was known among his patients for his gifts of listening and compassion – qualities he believed to be among the most important as a physician. Dr. Yeon built and founded Hudson Valley Medical Arts in Hopewell Junction, and he was one of few physicians who visited his patients in their homes when this care was needed.
Dr. Yeon was a member of the American Medical Association, the American Psychiatric Association, the Medical Society of the State of New York, and the Dutchess County Medical Society. He was also a member of the Mid Hudson Korean Methodist Church in Poughkeepsie. Foremost, Dr. Yeon was a dedicated father whose commitment to his children and their education balanced his professional achievements.
Dr. Yeon is survived by his partner, Young Hee Choe of Hopewell Junction; his five sisters; his children, Elizabeth B. Hyun, MD of Chicago, IL, Susan B. Yeon, MD of Boston, MA, Helen B. Yeon, MD of Boulder, CO, and Howard B. Yeon, MD of Bronxville, NY; his grandchildren, Emily, George, Eleanor, and Meredith Hyun and Emma, Isabel, Luke, and Milo Yeon; Dr. Yeon was predeceased by his wife, Woon Bok Rhee-Yeon, MD in 1991.
Funeral services will be held on Friday, September 23 at 7pm (viewing 6pm-7pm) at the Mid Hudson Korean Methodist Church, 38 Jackson Road, Poughkeepsie. Interment will follow funeral services at the McHoul Funeral Home, Inc., 895 Route 82, Hopewell Junction on Saturday, September 24 at 10AM. The procession to the Poughkeepsie Rural Cemetery, 342 South Avenue, Poughkeepsie will follow these services.
Arrangements are under the direction of the McHoul Funeral Home, Inc. Please visit Dr. Yeon’s Book of Memories at www.mchoulfuneralhome.com.