DR. PO-PING WONG

Dr. Wong, Po-Ping

Dr. Po-Ping Wong passed away on August 24, 2014, after an intrepid battle with cancer. Po-Ping was born in Hong Kong, on September 12, 1930 to Lieutenant General Keung Wong and Kwei Ying Chan. After attending La Salle High School, Po-Ping moved to San Francisco, CA in 1948, and graduated from Galileo High School. He attended college at the University of Idaho, earning a BA and Masters in Horticulture. Po-Ping spent his spare time singing and performing with the Vandaleers Concert Choir and working with the forestry service in Idaho. After spending five years in research and academia, Po-Ping enrolled in the University of California, San Francisco, School of Dentistry, and graduated in 1965 with a Doctor of Dental Surgery degree. He spent 39 years practicing dentistry in the same office in Garden Grove, providing his patients with compassionate dental care. Po-Ping married the former Jane Hsieh, in 1956. Together, they raised three sons who all earned Boy Scout's highest rank-Eagle Scout, who all work in healthcare professions (1 hospital CFO, 2 dentists) and who all served in the US Army. In addition to practicing dentistry, Po-Ping led the establishment of, and served as the chairman of the board for, the first Chinese bank in Orange County, Grand National Bank, and he earned a real estate brokers license. Po-Ping fervently volunteered his time to the local community and his alma maters, U of I and UCSF. He was a very active member of the Garden Grove Lions Club, achieving a phenomenal 39 straight years of perfect attendance and serving as Club President in 1984. As a Lion, Po-Ping was a familiar face at their annual Pancake Breakfast and the Garden Grove Strawberry Festival. Po-Ping was a Lion of the year 1995 and Melvin Jones Fellow, and a UCSF Dental Alumni Association Medal of Honor recipient.

Po-Ping was a passionate and talented singer, a gourmand and wine lover, and an avid photographer, philatelist, and numismatist. He loved music and the arts, especially classical and Celtic music, and would readily volunteer to sing at any occasion. Po-Ping won first place in the U of I talent show two years in a row, and led the singing of the UCSF Alma mater at the annual alumni meeting. A skilled badminton player, Po-Ping was the UCSF badminton champion for four straight years.

Po-Ping lived his life to the fullest, with tremendous passion, laughter, verve, and vitality. He was a loving husband, beloved father, staunch and loyal friend, benevolent humanitarian, and devoted patriot. During life, he followed the tenets of honoring family, serving the country, giving back to the community, having a positive attitude, and always acting with honor.

Po-Ping is survived by his wife of 58 years, Jane; his children, Ming Wong (Therese), Ted Wong (Jeannie), Andre Wong (Minghua); his grandchildren, Adam Wong (Erica), Kiali Wong, Remington Wong, Jameson Wong, Kina Wong, Kristen Wong, Hana Wong; and great-grandchild, Asher Wong.

Funeral services will be held on Saturday, August 30, 2014 at Huntington Beach Baptist Church, 8121 Ellis Avenue, Huntington Beach, CA. Viewing will start at 9:00 am, followed by funeral services at 10:00 am. Po-Ping will be laid to rest at Pacific View Memorial Park & Mortuary, Corona Del Mar. In lieu of flowers, please make donations in memory of Dr. Po-Ping Wong to any of the following charities: University of Idaho Vandaleer Endowment Fund; or University of California, San Francisco, School of Dentistry; or City of Hope Lymphoma Program. Shannon-Bryan Mortuary