Dear Vicky, Mabel, Peggy, and Marinda,

 

Ping and I send you our heartfelt condolences on your Dad’s passing. Uncle Jerry lived a complete, fruitful, and long life. He made countless contributions – personal and professional. He had an abundance of admirers, many longtime friends, and a very loving family. How we admired and loved your Dad! And, how we miss him! Even 5 months after his passing, we are sad. As Philip wrote in his remembrance of your Dad – “I thought Jerry would be with us forever.” So did we! Uncle Jerry was a beautiful man in every way. We were blessed to have known him.

 

As you know, Uncle Jerry and my father and mother were close lifelong friends. Your Dad and my mom (Elsie) first met on June 28, 1941, when they were shipmates on the S.S. Coolidge, from Shanghai to San Francisco, bound for college in the United States. Two 19-year-olds. Your Dad was headed to MIT where my father (Hung) was already enrolled. My mom went to Oberlin College in Ohio. At MIT, your Dad, my father, Uncle Y.K. Pei (who was also on the same ship as your Dad and my mom), Uncle Nelson Chang, and others became close lifelong friends.

 

Did you know that my sister Pris and I owe your Dad our very existence? Only recently did it dawn on me that your Dad must have been the one who introduced my mother to my father! How else could my parents have met? Thank you very much, Uncle Jerry!

 

There was probably not a day that went by that my parents did not mention “Jerry”. There was only one “Jerry” in our home. We all looked forward to and cherished the times when our families and your Dad and my parents got together. Most often it was your Dad who came to visit us in New Rochelle, Fairfield, or Grand Haven. Uncle Jerry loved to travel. Maybe, it was because he loved to see and be with his many friends around the world that was his incentive to travel. There was no friend more dependable, energetic, generous, loyal, and true than your Dad. Although we did not see nearly enough of him, he was either in Hong Kong or Europe and we were in the US, Uncle Jerry left an indelible positive impression on me as I was growing up. I have many fond memories of your Dad. He has been one of my role models.

 

Ping and I last saw Uncle Jerry in Hong Kong on March 20, 2019. We went to his office for a wonderful conversation and then to a delicious and very lively dinner he arranged with Vicky, Julian, Peggy, Philip, other family members, and friends at his club. We wanted to attend his 100th Birthday party but COVID disrupted travel plans.

 

We are thrilled and touched that Uncle Jerry’s cremains will be interred this summer at Mount Auburn Cemetery in Cambridge, MA. He will be laid to rest only a stone’s throw from my parents and sister. They must be overjoyed to continue their lifelong, now eternal, friendship.

 

With Love, Tim and Ping

 

(ABOVE) Uncle Jerry, Uncle Y.K. Pei, and my mom on a rest stop in Hawaii during their voyage from Shanghai to San Francisco, in June 1941

(ABOVE) A group of MIT students greeted a visiting professor from China. Uncle Jerry, Uncle Y.K. Pei, and my dad (highlighted in yellow)

 

(ABOVE) At a dinner club in New York City. Uncle Jerry (signature) is next to my dad and mom, who are a couple, Uncle Nelson Chang, Uncle C.S. Wang, and my dad’s brother Leland. Maybe my parent’s engagement party?

 

(ABOVE) Gathering of lifelong friends at my parents’ home in 2003. Uncle Jerry seated (left), Uncle Y.K. Pei, my father, Uncle Nelson Chang, my mom, Uncle C.S. Wang, et al.

 

(ABOVE) “The Three Amigos” – July 2013 – Friends for 75 years. Uncle Y.K. Pei, Uncle Jerry, and my dad. At Uncle Y.K.’s home in Toledo, Ohio