Anthony Pan Obituary

Anthony Pan

Anthony (Tony) Pan passed away unexpectedly this month at his home in San Francisco, the city where he has lived for over 20 years. For the past decade, he was proud to serve as a docent at the Asian Art Museum. Most of his career was spent as an intercultural business specialist and co-author of articles and books such as "Culture Shock! Beijing at Your Door", among others. Tony had a JD from Columbia Law School, an MA from Princeton, was a PhD candidate at Berkeley, and had an undergraduate degree from Holy Cross.

He is survived by cousins living in Asia and the United States, who will keep him in their memories.

To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.

Published by San Francisco Chronicle from Sep. 18 to Sep. 24, 2017.

Memories and Condolences
for Anthony Pan

14 Entries

Dr. EdRockstein

January 9, 2024

I knew Tony at Princeton. We started at the same time. I was WE were in the small East Asian component of the then Department of Oriental Studies. My major was Korean literary history [my doctorate]. My wife at the time was from Taiwan and a wonderful cook. We invited Tony for dinner at our tiny apartment which we shared with three cats. We were not aware that he was extremely allergic to cats. He loved the food, but suffered mightily from the cats. He used up a box of tissues. I am now 82 and may see him one of these days. Maybe we will share some & again, Tony! Ed Rockstein

Clement McGowan

January 16, 2018

Tony was the best man at my wedding to Joan Austin in September 1966. Joan and I have now been married 51+ years. We would see Tony irregularly when we were in his beloved SF or on one of his rare visits to the DC area.

Tony and I were classmates and fellow math majors at Holy Cross, class of 1965. He was an ideal student with a perpetual love of learning: math, sociology, law, languages and cultures.

Tony was ideally trained and suited to be an Asian culture guide as he was in his final years. Tony was a dear friend, a gentle soul, and the embodiment of a gentleman and a scholar. He will be missed.

Margaret Plank

January 4, 2018

I was a law school classmate of Tony's at Columbia, and a firm friend from the moment he engaged me in conversation during Legal Methods class in 1982. He called me faithfully during the holidays until 2016. When he failed to call this year, I approached Google with trepidation. I will be in San Francisco this weekend, and will visit the Asian Art Museum with memories of him, wishing he were there to guide me. Gentle, kind, blessed soul, go in peace. ❤

January 4, 2018

I was a law school classmate of Tony'a at Columbia, and a firm friend from the moment he engaged me in conversation during Legal Methods class in 1982. He called me faithfully during the holidays until 2016. When he failed to call this year, I approached Google with trepidation. I will be in San Francisco this weekend, and will visit the Asian Art Museum with memories of him, wishing he were there to guide me. Gentle, kind, blessed souls, go in peace. %u2764%ufe0f

IIC Staff

December 20, 2017

Anthony Pan was an instructor who always embodied the best aspects of human nature: kindness and patience.

You could see it in his work.

You could see it in the way he taught.

And you could see it in the way he treated people.

IIC has not only lost a patient caring teacher, but the world has lost a great human being.

-Kenny Song

It has as a shock to me to find out that Anthony is no longer with us here in this life. Although I did not know him well, I considered him a lovely teacher with a good sense of humor and a very tender heart for our students.

Anthony was not just a good English teacher, but also he was a curator/ guide at the Asian Art Museum, and he knew quite a lot about Asian art in general.

I always felt such a sense of empathy for the man, who had such difficulty getting around. Little did I know how serious his health condition was.

I will miss him.

-Scott Thompson

I was always pleased to run into Anthony at IIC. To me, he embodied strength and tenacity. I'm sorry for his passing, and will keep him fondly in my memory.

-Jeannine Toussaint-Caron

Anthony was one of the first warm souls I met at IIC this past year. He hooked me with his stories of growing up Asian American in NYC and we shared memories of our beloved East Coast home often. He helped me to feel at home so quickly in SF and IIC. Anthony, thank you for your warmth.

-Lisa Perosi

Anthony was kind, curious, funny. A resident San Franciscan and a proud New Yorker. He was happiest around his students and loved to talk about culture. I'd enjoyed listening to his stories and worldly experiences over his many years. Anthony was always young at heart. He will be missed.

-Laura Haber

Jong N Kang

November 4, 2017

You have my deepest condolences.

Patrisia Dharmadi

November 3, 2017

Anthony Pan was one of my teachers during my two years at IIC. What I remember the most about him was his smile and laugh. Anthony had one of the warmest smile i had ever seen. He had a great sense of humor and a curious mind. But it was his laugh that made him very special. He had this fatherly, warm, deep but soft laugh that tells you that he genuinely care about you. He was very knowledgeable and he always ready to share it with you. He was humble, patient, funny, kind, smart and hardworking. I truly feel blessed to be given a chance to get to know him even for a very brief moment. But that's Anthony, a brief moment was all he needed to show people how lovable human being he was. Anthony Pan, I remember you, I remember your smile, I remember your kindness and I remember how we used to share coffee in the morning. You are greatly missed. Rest in peace.

Catherine Liu

November 3, 2017

Antony was my ESL teacher when studying in IIC, he always greet people with a warm smile, very responsible in his teaching career, and sometime gave us informations of the Asian Art Museum where he docent. He is one of the most intellectual and knowledgeable person I know, his kindness and devotion to his career will inspire me all the time. Anthony, I can't be more grateful to have you as my teacher, you will always in our memories!

Kaia Wang

November 3, 2017

I'm deeply saddened by the passing of Anthony Pan. He was one of my Business English teachers at Intercultural Institute of California last year. He loved to spend time with students and always engaged us with his smile. Anthony also impressed us with his international experience and a deep passion for East Asian culture. My condolences go out to his family and friends.

Yunting Yue

November 3, 2017

I was so shocked when I saw this email,he's not my teacher,but he's my friend,I always met him in Chinese restaurant which near school,an I just know he can speak Chinese ,we've walked to school together after lunch,even he walk slow when he go upstairs,but I always have patience to follow him,it make me feel I followed my grandpa. I love him,and always miss him.

Rico

Anthony observing students on Halloween, 2016

Sam Maurer

November 1, 2017

I worked with Anthony at the Intercultural Institute of California in San Francisco. He only wore a smile, and was always happy to speak with our students who came from around the world. He had so much knowledge and experience to share with everyone, and was a joy to be around. One time Anthony and I sat in the back of Brick and Mortar, a local music venue, where we watched our student perform a rock and roll concert. I thought it was so sweet of Anthony to go support his student's concert. We stayed the whole time and enjoyed the concert together.

I will miss Anthony dearly.

Tony in Singapore at one of his favorite pastimes, reading the newspaper. His father had a passion for keeping up with the news also.

Margaret Pan

September 23, 2017

Rick Kempf

September 20, 2017

Tony and I were roommates at Columbia Law School together. What a smart, kind, gentle soul he was! We would study together late at night and go out for dim sum on the weekends. He taught me so much about China, Hong Kong and Taiwan that I eventually moved to Asia. Later, my family and I would visit him in San Francisco and we would trade long stories stories about our travels and lives. Though he was not in the best of health, he and I were about to have a reunion and travel about northern California together this October. Tony, we had so much to tell each other! Bless you. I will miss you greatly!

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