Obituary of Eric S. Covington

Eric S. Covington, 48, West Chester

Eric was born in 1974 in Mt. Vernon, Illinois and grew up in Cupertino, California. After graduating from University of California Berkeley, with a BS in electrical engineering and computer science, Eric joined the Peace Corps. He volunteered in Ghana West Africa (1999-2001) teaching high school physics and computer literacy. In 2003 Eric married the love of his life, a fellow Peace Corps volunteer, Christine Covington Chen. Eric and Christine have two wonderful daughters, Summer (almost 12) and San San (10).

Eric was a rare human: humble, sensitive, caring, and more worried about his fellow man than himself. That love was demonstrated in his devotion to God, his wife, Christine, and his two beloved daughters, Summer and San San. It was also shown in his international service to developing nations and his love of his country. Eric worked at Peace Corps headquarters and the Department of Energy before joining the Department of State as a Foreign Service Officer in 2008. As an FSO, Eric served in India, Tunisia, D.C., Taiwan, the Philippines, and South Africa. Eric, Christine, Summer and San San loved living overseas and share many happy family memories of traveling, experiencing new places, people, foods, and culture together.

Eric died from a two year long battle with ALS (Lou Gehrig’s disease). He held on long enough to celebrate he and Christine’s 20th wedding anniversary on the day of his passing. Eric died at home on Saturday, May 20, 2023 in West Chester, Pennsylvania, surrounded by his loving family.

He is survived by his wife Christine Covington Chen, two daughters: Summer and San San; father, Jon Scott Covington (wife, Barbara) and mother, Linda Susan Covington; two brothers, Jason Covington (wife, Kristine Klusa) and Travis Covington (wife, Elisa Jeng); grandmother, Ginny Degenhardt, mother in law, Day Chen; father in law, Myo Chen; brother in laws, David Chen (wife, Christine Angstadt) and Dennis Chen.

A Celebration of Life Service will be held at 11:00 AM Saturday, May 27 at the Vineyard Church, 614 Fellowship Road Chester Springs, PA.

In lieu of flowers, donations are being accepted at their gofundme account. https://www.gofundme.com/f/Medical-Expenses-for-Eric-Covington

Online condolences can be made at www.sgsfuneralhome.com. All arrangements are being handled by Shalkop, Grace & Strunk Funeral Home, Inc Spring City, PA.