Norberto "Bert" Padua Chan Ii

Norberto “Bert” Chan died on June 11, 2023, at the age of 47. Norberto is survived by his wife of 18 years, Kambea Chan, their children Paydan & Isabella “Izzy,” his stepson William “Scott” Baumgardner, his mother, Linda, siblings, Kit, Kristian, and Alex, and countless nieces, nephews, cousins, aunts and uncles who loved him dearly.

Norberto was an avid scholar and Air Force Veteran with a career focused in Information Technology (IT). In 1998, he earned his Bachelor’s of Science degree in Biochemistry from FSU. Then in 2000, he joined the Air Force where he worked as a Medical Laboratory Technician at Eglin Air Force Base (Florida) until 2004 (including a 7-month deployment to Kuwait in 2003 during the Iraq War). After serving in the Air Force, he went on to earn a 2nd Bachelor’s degree in Computer Sciences from Troy University in 2005. For the next 14 years, he worked as an IT Support Specialist/Administrator at Spangdahlem Air Force Base (Germany), Mountain Home Air Force Base (Idaho) and Tallahassee (Florida). He reached the peak of his career in 2020, when he was promoted to Director of IT for Leon County, supporting all county-based emergency response services (Emergency Operations Center, Sheriff’s Department, EMS, and Fire Rescue) where he worked until he medically retired in September 2022 from a Glioblastoma diagnosis.

Norberto was born in San Diego, California on May 8, 1976, where his father was stationed in the Navy. His childhood years were spent growing up in Pensacola and Wewahitchka, Florida. In 2002, he met his wife, Kambea. They were married in 2005 in Fort Walton Beach, Florida. During Kambea’s military service, they were stationed in Germany for four years where they travelled all over Europe. They were transferred to Idaho for another four years, and then decided to move back south and call Tallahassee their “forever” home in 2014.

Norberto was a hardworking, family man and a jack of all trades. He was exceptionally creative and very skilled with his hands. He loved woodworking, restoring old vehicles and motorcycles. He worked tirelessly to make sure his family was always provided for and make life better for those around him without the need for recognition or praise. He was admired by his co-workers, peers and everyone lucky enough to cross paths with him. He never met a stranger, went out of his way to help those in need, and treated everyone equally with love and respect.

He loved his wife and kids dearly, worked diligently to provide for them, making their lives as easy as possible. He accomplished so much during his lifetime, but his children were his greatest achievement of all…he absolutely adored them and was extremely proud to be their dad. He was a humble soul, a true warrior and will be terribly missed by all who knew him.

Graveside services will be held at 11:00 A.M. Central Time on Monday, June 19, 2023 at  Roberts Cemetery in Wewahitchka, Florida with Rev. Jeremy Pridgeon officiating.

The family will receive friends at the Chan Home (290 Taunton Sawmill Road, Wewahitchka, Florida 32465) beginning Sunday, June 18, 2023 at 2:00 P.M. Central Time.

In lieu of flowers, the family wishes memorial contributions be made to (https://gofund.me/a0cc19a1) to help cover the remaining hospital bills and any future living expenses.

Arrangements are entrusted to the caring staff of Comforter Funeral Home in Port St. Joe, Florida.