Howard Vincent Hong

Still missing you, kaereste Far, in spite of some very mixed memories

Thanks be to God for the marvelous, generous man, teacher, husband, and father in Howard V. Hong.

Memories of the Hongs are from being neighbors on Heath Creek.. .Howard's stories and Edna's "Pigs in Blankets" made with real bread dough! May your memories of Howard and Edna inspire and comfort!

May your hearts soon be filled with wonderful memories of joyful times together as you celebrate a life well lived.

It was an honor to meet Professor Hong. My first time was at a picnic at the family cabin at Green Lake. Irena worked in Olivia at Renville County Family Social Services and invited me to join her and her father. My sympathy to you and your family.

I will always have many thanks to Howard and Edna for the intellectual and earthy stimulation at Holden Village along with the Hinderlie family. Those experiences changed my life.

As the days and weeks pass, and as you return to life's routine, may you continue to feel comforted by the love and support of family and friends.

My only contact with Howard was a Philosophy of Lit course he gave in 1949, but it was a memorable one, because I still remember much of it.
Bon Voyage.
Norman Schoening, 1950

I count myself fortunate to be among the legions Howard influenced and among the many Howard inspired to go on in philosophy. My condolences to the Hong family; you were vital to the good times.
Gary Overvold, St.O, 1962

May Gods Love embrace you and welcome you into Heaven. I'm certain Edna is there baking bread and lefse for your arrival. God Bless Grandpa. We love you and charish the legacy you've left us.

Howard had an immeasurable influence on me and turned me in the direction of life-time interest in philosophy and theology. He always appreciated my appealing to Paul Tillich to go to St. Olaf for the the inauguratiion of the Kierkegaard Library when I was Tilich's assistant at Harvard.
Howard was Socrates reborn. His teaching style was entirely Socratic, indirect, asking questions. He was a master at it. You couldn't say hello to Howard in passing without getting into a lengthy discussion about the meaning of hello and then on from there to the meaning of greeting and from there to the meaning of being. Howard corresponded with me on Kierkegaard and my notion of the free spontaneous behavior of the redeemed and salvation as gift already given. He saw into the heart of the Gospel and now he is at one with it with the communion of saints.

My sincere sympathy to Your family. In 1946 I was a freshman at St. Olaf and Dr. Hong had recently returned from Germany where had served in helping in the refugee program. Because of his role in that program he served as the peaker at the Convocation for the start of the new school year. We were all so impressed with this charming man.I was also the realtor who worked with Dr.Hong on the sale of his Green Lake lot. I recall as we became more acqainted his fondness for Willmar.May God comfort you as the day's move forward.

The influence of this great professor in the lives of all of us who were so fortunate to be in his classroom is immeasurable. Thank you, Dr. Hong

Howard cut a wide swath. He & his family are forever in our hearts.

Death is not the end, but a new beginning, for those who pass on and for those who stay. Howard was my hero, my teacher, a role model for me and many. He will be missed but his spirit lives on, his humor, his eyes that often said more than his wonderful language and thoughts. Blessings on his family and all who mourn, yes, ought we not be dancing, the purity of heart to will one thing, I will see you in our next lives Howard, and I will have a question for you...peace ko shin, Bob Hanson STO Class of '62 Philosophy/History

Last May, Dr. Hong entertained two visitors from Norway, the VP of the Storting and his wife, the Vicar of the Nidaros Pilgrimage. After our preliminary Norway Lake stories, he regalled them in the Hong Library for two hours. Traveling back to the airport, they said that those two hours with him, alone, made their trip to America worthwhile. Rest in peace, great man and mentor.

R.I.P. Most cherished Kierkegaard mentor and supporter. Already 25 years since your retirement bash at St. Olaf - and everybody knew you and the SK corpus so well that the punchline of my little 'roast' vignette was anticipated! Greetings to Ted and Nhat, I'll try to do this more personally.... L[yle] Vincent Anderson

Howard's scholarship and his love of scholarship in his students changed me forever. Thank you, Howard.

Steve Thorson
St. Olaf '77

Prof Hong was truly a St. Olaf legend whose influence and work will remain for all. The Syrdal family sends condolences to the Hongs, and those who remember him.

Well done, good and faithful servant. Welcome home.