George Wang

WANG, George
Yip Min
(Age 69)

July 28, 1941 -"
February 11, 2011

George Yip Min Wang, D.O. passed away Friday, February 11th after a courageous battle with squamous cell cancer. George was born in Hong Kong, China the second sibling in a family of seven, to Shung Heung Li and Din Ying Wong. He attended Diocesan Boys School in Hong Kong and was graduated in 1959. At age 17 he left home and came to the USA to follow his dream of becoming a physician. He attended undergraduate school at Albion College, Albion, MI, where he worked part time in a pickle factory and at a summer camp to help pay his tuition. He was graduated in 1962. He then attended the Iowa College of Osteopathic Medicine and Surgery in Des Moines, Iowa and was graduated in 1966 and went on to do his internship at Cafaro Memorial Hospital, Youngstown, OH in 1966-1967. From 1971-1974 he completed his residency in Psychiatry at Western Missouri Mental Health Center, University of Missouri School of Medicine, Kansas City, MO. He became certified with the American Board of psychiatry and neurology in 1977. George was also a teacher and was an instructor at the University of Missouri School of Medicine, Kansas City from 1972-1974, and was the Adjunct Clinical Assistant Professor of Psychiatry at the University of Kansas School of Medicine, working at eh VA Hospital in Kansas City, MO as staff psychiatrist in charge of psychiatric consultation and liaison 1974-1976. In 1967 George joined the Navy as Lieutenant Commander-General medical officer and served until 1971. During this time he served tours of duty in Pearl Harbor, Japan and 2 tours in Viet Nam where he served on the U.S.S. Enterprise and the Benjamin Stoddart as a physician both on board and in ports of call attending patients hospitalized in Viet Nam, where he was presumably exposed to Agent Orange. From 1971-1976 he served in the Active Reserve Navy. In 1976 George joined the Air Force and retired in 1992. He then worked at Eastern State Hospital as a staff psychiatrist until his retirement. During his time in the military he earned the Meritorious Service Medal, Air Force Commendation Medal, A.F. Outstanding Unit Award, Combat Readiness Medal, National Defense Service Medal, Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal, Viet Nam Service Medal, Overseas Short Tour Ribbon, Overseas Long Tour Ribbon, A.F. Longevity Service Award Ribbon and the A.F. TRNG Ribbon. George was a wonderful husband and father. He loved long walks, Mahjong Games, dinner parties and loved to go fishing and travel. He leaves behind his wife Cean, of 40 years, one son Jason of Hilo, HI, sister Alice of Vancouver, BC, brother Joseph and wife Eliza of Hong Kong, brother Edward of Hong Kong, sister Grace and husband Anthony of Hong Kong, sister Emily and husband James of Vancouver, BC, brother Robert and wife Angela of Vancouver, BC and many nephews and nieces and great nephews and nieces. The family would like to thank Julia, Casey and the rest of the staff at Julia's Adult Care Home for the wonderful care, love and support during George's final weeks of life. We also thank Dr. Laing, Dr. Chaudhry, Dr. Carson, Anne Joyce, the staff at Holy Family Inland Imaging as well as the staff at Manor Care and Beacon House and all of the other friends who have touched our lives and have cared so deeply. We also wish to thank Horizon Hospice for the excellent care they provided in his final days. In lieu of flowers the family asks for donations to be sent to Horizon Hospice.
A time of visitation will be held on Friday, February 18, from noon to 1:30 pm. A graveside service will be held at Washington State Veterans Cemetery on Friday, February 18, at 3 pm.