The life story of Mr. Khoi Huy Tham

Mr. Tham was born on June 21, 1928, in his home town of Hanoi, Vietnam. He always spoke lovingly of growing up with his father, mother, and brother and sisters, in a part of the city called Pho Hang Can.

He was the youngest and pampered boy, nickedname "Precious", yet he learned to think of others. He first ventured out to become a young, idealistic, brave Vietnamese Nationalist, who stood up for the rights of Vietnamese, under the French regime.  He inspired other Nationalists with his songs, to keep their spirit up, whenever they were suppressed.

When North Vietnam was taken over by the Communists, Mr. Tham reluctantly moved to the South, because he did not want to leave his aging parents in Hanoi. In the scenic city of Dalat among the rolling hills and pine trees, he attended college to become a public servant, to serve many who needed him.  In Dalat, he met his wife Lien at a party, and was married to her until her death in 2000.  Lien suffered from Alzheimer's in her last few years, and her husband took care of her every need with an infinite amount of love and patience.

After college, Mr. Tham's career was on an upward trajectory. He longed to serve his country, and help his compatriots, including those he has never met, and will never meet.  He eventually became the Mayor of Dalat.  He also performed public services in Nha Trang, where he took his five daughters to the beach whenever he could get away from the office.  At the time of the fall of Saigon in 1975, Mr. Tham held a high position in the office of Immigration & Emigration & Anti-Communist propaganda.  While others fled Vietnam to save their own skin, at the time that Saigon was falling, Mr. Tham insisted on staying, to help protect his country from communism, but that was in vain.

In 1979, Mr. Tham, his wife, and his young daughters left Vietnam on a small boat, to seek freedom. America generously welcomed them.  In his 50s, he lost his promising career, and all his worldly belongings, yet he cheerfully helped his family start a new life.  He cherished the freedom found in the United States, and never complained about all that he lost, including the country he lovingly served.  He learned more English, and attended Heald College, to become an electronic technician.  He worked for Northern Telecom until his retirement.  Through his incredible hard work, he helped sustain his family and set a strong foundation for his children.

Mr. Tham was ambitious with his career and was serious about his work, yet he had a gentle domestic side. He was most thoughtful regarding his wife's, and daughters' needs and dreams.  During the hot humid afternoons in Saigon, when the electric fan could not keep his youngest daughter cool, he fanned her until she could fall asleep, while singing her favorite lullaby.

During the little free time he had, Mr. Tham loved watching tennis matches on TV, worked out at the local parks, and dressed with a fine fashion sense.

Mr. Tham was preceded in death by his parents (Van Pho, Chuong Tham), brother (Tuc Tham), sisters (Thinh Tham, Ngo Tham), and his wife (Lien Thai).  He is survived by his two sisters (Hoan Tham, Hau Tham), five daughters (   Thai Khanh Tham,  Thai Hien Tham, Thai Ha Tham, Estelle Thai Khue Tham, Ann Thai Anh Tham), sons-in law (Werner Kneubuhler, Jean Etienne Jacquot, Quoc Tran Dinh, Joel Levis, Heath Pearson), and 10 grandchildren.

Although he is no longer of this world, he left his family a legacy of love, thoughtfulness, kindness, humility, ambition, perseverance, and- if only to some of us- his exquisite fashion sense.