Computer case designer who invented computer case dies at 85

A computer case designer and inventor who invented the computer case for the first time died Thursday at age 85.

Charles E. Fong died at home in Portland, Ore., from complications from a rare disease called syphilis.

Fong had been in his 80s.

His wife, Jeanine, said she didn’t know he was ill.

He was the father of two children.

“He was a wonderful man,” she said.

“He was very humble and very kind.

He had a big heart.”

The Portland area has been a pioneer in the field of computer hardware and software.

A group of about 100 people gathered outside Fong’s home Thursday to mark his passing.

“Charles E.” was one of about 80 computer cases invented in Portland and sold for $25,000, said Tom O’Neil, president of the Multnomah County Computer Museum.

The group’s website says that in 1966, a local hardware company, the National Computer Corporation, made the first computer case and then went on to develop computer components for use in manufacturing.

He is credited with inventing the first mouse and keyboard, the first typewriter, and the first color printer.

He also created the first laser printer.

Fongs computer design was based on his love of the outdoors, O’Neill said.FONG had a passion for photography, photography, nature, and his daughter, Jeanie, said in a statement.

“When I met him he said, ‘I’ve got a lot of photographs in my house,’ ” Jeanie Fong said.

He said he had more than 30 books and photographs of the Pacific Northwest.

Folk singer, songwriter, and music director John Fong was an avid fisherman, O”Neil said.

His wife, actress Jeanine Fong, said he died of complications from syphilis, according to a Portland News Herald report.

She did not immediately return a call seeking comment from the Portland Press Herald.

Foons birthday party was held at the Portland International Airport on Thursday.

The Fong family had been looking forward to the occasion, O*Neil said, but the weather was poor.

“It was so windy and so cold, so they decided to postpone the party and to bring in their kids instead,” O*Neill said, adding that they also made a special trip to the airport to pick up a photo of Fong.

“The family’s so grateful that it’s over,” O’Neills said.

“I’m sure that he was just doing what he loved most, and he had a heart that was going to go to his children,” he added.