BORN
1930
DIED
2019
Philip Lum Obituary
May 1930 - January 2019
We are sad to announce that Philip A. Lum passed away peacefully on the morning of January 29, 2019 after a brief illness.A second generation San Franciscan, he was the son of Philip P. Lum and Jessie Y. Lum, and moved early in his youth to Oakland. Educated at Maryknoll (Mountain View) and St. Joseph's High School (Alameda), Phil attained his BA at USF. In 1954, he married his beloved wife, Betty Lum, who passed away in 2014. After graduation, Phil taught English, Latin and journalism in Gustine and San Bernardino, before returning to teach in his hometown of San Francisco.
He earned his MJ and PhD at U.C. Berkeley, and became a long-time San Francisco Unified School District administrator. Phil served at many locations, including Galileo High School, Lowell High School, Balboa High School, Roosevelt Middle School, and Lincoln High School. He had the distinction of being one of the earliest known Chinese American principals of any high school in the United States, and was the last official principal of Polytechnic High School.
After retirement, Phil remained active in the education field as he consulted for The College Board and the Graduate School of Education at U.C. Berkeley. He and Betty enjoyed sightseeing in Europe and China, and attending Broadway shows in New York City. Throughout his life he continued his hobby of collecting and maintaining a portfolio of coins and stamps.
Phil was the brother to Fran, Victoria (Ben), and John (Lorraine). He leaves behind numerous nieces, nephews, grand nephews, and grand nieces, along with many relatives in Hawaii. Phil is survived by sons Stephen and Timothy (Karima), along with granddaughter Zoey, and great grandchildren Joaquim, Khayleb, and Khaiyah.
A small, private memorial event will held at a later date.
To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.
kong kwok
January 16, 2021
Dear Dr. Lum,
I wanted to thank you personally for turning my life around and protecting me from the fallacies of high school. you inspired me to do better. you inspired me to work harder and not give up. god spoke to me through you and I am eternally grateful. I am sorry that I did not get a chance to thank you in person, but your legacy also lives on through me. I never forgot your words of wisdom and encouragement. i never forgot all those life lessons that you shared with me, on the other hand 4 years of Latin at 7 am in the morning does that to you, everything is ingrained permanently...
thank you Dr. lum.
Adam Zabarte
March 28, 2019
I'm saddened to learn of Dr. Lum's passing. Dr. Lum was my principal while at Lincoln High School in the 1980s and later, after I joined the SFUSD, I respected him as a colleague. I always admired his intelligence, kindness, and humor. Being a student aide in the office during each of my four years at Lincoln, I think that I got to know him in a slightly different way from other students. I had the opportunity to learn from him on a daily basis, in particular, observing how compassionately he interacted with faculty, staff, fellow students, and parents and to see how much he valued education and sought to instill that love of education on those around him.
I offer my condolence to Dr. Lum's family and loved ones.
Frances Gee
February 11, 2019
I am sorry to hear of Dr. Lum's passing. Dr. Lum was the principal of Roosevelt Jr. High (prior to transitioning to its current title, Roosevelt Middle School) during the years I had attended, in the early to mid-1970's. He was the classiest and the kindest of administrators. My fondest memory was his generosity in teaching Latin to any of us students who had an interest; we met for perhaps six to eight weeks in his office, and he taught us how to conjugate verbs in Latin and appreciate the mother language which lent its word roots to many words in the English vocabulary.
I later attended and graduated from Lowell High School, Class of 1978 and went on to become an occupational therapist and now educator in occupational therapy, and I will always remember Dr. Lum and his kindness and accessibility. My condolences go out to his family.
Gabrielle Vasseur (Montano)
February 7, 2019
I remember Principal Lum while I attended Roosevelt JR.High in the early 70's. I worked as a student helper in the main office and he was always smiling, always kind. RIP Mr, Lum. Thank you for your contribution.
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Helen D'Amico Perry
February 7, 2019
Mr Lum was our journalism teacher in the Spring and Fall of 1961.
He was the kind of teacher one remembers all one's life for the respect he shared with us and the wide parameters he gave us within which to stumble and find our way forward. He made us laugh and his classroom was one of the places where I learned I could be a pretty good writer. I extend my sincere condolences to his family and wish each of you comfort in the days ahead. I know you will miss him very much, and please know how many lives he touched through his service to education.
Joanna Pineda
February 5, 2019
I attended Lincoln High School in the 1980s. My senior year, I was Student Body President. Lincoln hadn't had a school dance in a while but he worked with the senior class to bring back dances. When I was applying to college, I got a note from one university saying that my counselor had not submitted a letter of recommendation. I ran to Dr. Lum's office with the letter. He promptly wrote my letter of recommendation and I got into Stanford. I am forever grateful to Dr. Lum.
Dena Robinson-Hernandez
February 5, 2019
Rest while seated at the right hand of God! You will Never Be Forgotten by the Many lives you assisted in raising leaving a small or large impact towards our lives! My Condolences to your Family as I will Pray!
JP Lane Hurlbert, Class of 82, ALHS
JP Lane Hurlbert
February 4, 2019
I recal when Dr Lum became a Mustang in 79 or 80. He cared about his students and our academic achievements. Although I had a touch of Senioritis in 1982, I went on to attend City College and to be acknowledged on the Dean's list, then to San Jose State University. I'm grateful for Dr Lum and the legacy he left at Abraham Lincoln High School. May God continue to bless his family.
Jim Howerton
February 4, 2019
Good values and work ethics.blessings to his family.
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