Wah Ming Chang, an Oscar-winning animator and creator of many of Star Trek's Original Series props and creatures, passed away Monday, December 22, at age 86.

Chang had worked with TOS Producer Bob Justman on The Outer Limits, and Chang's first contribution to Star Trek came when he designed the prosthetic heads of the Talosians for the Star Trek pilot "The Cage." Chang later lent his talents to the show creating, along with Gene Warren, such memorable creatures as the false Balok ("The Corbomite Manuever"), the M-113 salt vampire ("The Man Trap") and the Gorn ("Arena").

But perhaps his most profound contribution to the show was his creation of some of Star Trek's most memorable props — the flip-open communicators and Dr. McCoy's medical tricorder.

Chang also designed costumes for the movies "The King and I" and "Can-Can," and designed an elaborate headdress for Elizabeth Taylor in "Cleopatra." His work on the 1960 version of "The Time Machine" won him an Academy Award.

Also a renowned sculptor, Chang was commissioned by cartoonist Hank Ketcham to sculpt a life-sized statue of Ketcham's popular creation Dennis The Menace for the park that bears his name in Monterey.

Chang had retired to Carmel Valley, and is survived by his half-sister. His wife of 60 years, Glenella, had passed away in 1997.

UPDATE: Services will be held Saturday, January 17, at 2:00 p.m. in Carmel, at the Community Church of the Monterey Peninsula on Carmel Valley Road. Anyone wishing to make a donation in Chang's memory may do so to any of the following causes important to him. Please specify "In memory of Wah Ming Chang":

• Environmental Defense Fund — 257 Park Ave. South, NY, NY 10010
• Population Connection — 1400 16th St. NW #320, Washington, DC 20036
• Carmel Art Association — Box 2271, Carmel, CA 93921

An Associated Press obituary may be found at the link below.