From the December 2008 edition of Northwest Chess:

NWC is sad to report the passing of Herman Chiu, who died in Corvallis on October 18, 2008, at age 55. Herman was Oregon co-Champion with Mike Montchalin in 1988, and had rating peaks over 2200 in the 1990s as well. Small and feisty, Herman played chess across the country. He will be missed.

Additional information:

Chiu was a USCF master, and was Oregon chess co-champion in 1988, tied with Mike Montchalin. (See the list of Oregon champions.) His other chess accomplishments include an eight-way tie for first in the 2004 St. Louis Open, a three-way tie for first in the 1993 Southern Idaho Open, tied for first in the 2001 Western Idaho Open and Arkansas Open, clear first in the 2000 Normal, Illinois, April Open, clear first in the March 2000 Shoquoquon Open in Iowa and the Greater Peoria Open in Illinois. He continued competing in tournaments in various states through at least September of 2007.