King-Ming Hsu

King-Ming Hsu (a.k.a. Jim Hsu) Obituary
Born 8/21/1930, Shanghai, China, Died 8/7/2025 San Mateo, CA
Jim passed at home in San Mateo, CA peacefully, with his family by his bedside from complications of prostate cancer and congestive heart failure. His was an extraordinary life, lived with dignity and purpose through extraordinary times and under extraordinary circumstances. He was dearly loved by all who knew him. He was a genuinely caring and loving person who lived every day with, through and for his family. He was sharp, generous, and grateful throughout his entire life and especially through his final days.
The arc of Jim's life reflects the story of modern China. Tumultuous early life under the Western nations' partition and subsequent Japanese occupation of his family home and birthplace in Shanghai. Hasty family separation and perilous walk into the interior of China ahead of Mao's People's Liberation Army, and fortuitous migration to the United States. He went on to graduate from Grinnell College, a proud veteran of the Korean War, having served as Private First Class, Interpreter, United States Army 500 Military Intelligence Group, at the 38 parallel. Followed by two decades with Vivian and young family in Campinas, Brazil working with his father-in-law's Sieh family business. A chance encounter at a Boston Chinatown restaurant brought him to San Francisco, CA for a two-decade architect career with Clement Chen & Associates, Architects. He was forever grateful for this opportunity, privilege, and joy to manage Western hotel development projects in Beijing and Xian. He was a fluent speaker and eloquent writer of Shanghainese, Mandarin, English, and Portuguese.
He was a kind, gentle, and compassionate soul. A Roman Catholic convert early in his adult life at the invitation of Vivian's family. Practitioner of Tai Chi, Qigong, and lifelong friend and supporter to numerous Jesuit priests, projects, and those in need. He helped with the design and construction of the meditation labyrinth at Mercy Center, Burlingame. He returned with his extended family for many silent labyrinth walks and reflections under a special Maple tree. He was adored Kung-Kung to his grandchildren. His Chinese banquet menus legendary, always one more favorite Shanghainese dish to share. The exalted King to his Queen Vivian at the opening ceremony of numerous Hsulympics Family Games. Forever grateful to the many friends and family in the United States, Brazil and China who helped him along his life journey. For the love, care and devotion of his children and grandchildren, especially in the last years of his life. For the enduring love of his wife, and adventure of every new day. He will be missed, his memory cherished, his legacy honored.
Jim is survived by his loving wife, Vivian at home in San Mateo, CA, six children, including Mary Ann (Barry) in San Francisco, CA, Elizabeth (Jim), Newton, MA, John (Priscilla), Princeville, HI, Mark (Mee), Curitiba, Brazil, Christopher, San Mateo, CA and Katrina (Andrew), Sao Paulo, Brazil, and fourteen grandchildren, Cassie, Chan, John Paul, Isabella, Sonia, Ming, Liana, Harrison, Alex, Alyssa, Adriana, June, Bianca and Lorenzo. Also survived by his sister, Julia Hsu Low, Boston, MA. Preceded in death by his parents, Sze-Hao and Sung-Yu Hsu, sisters, Sophia Hsu Liu, Lilian Hsu Lee, Patsy Hsu Chang, and brothers James King-Mien Hsu, Richard King-Wei Hsu, and Jensen King-Shen Hsu.
Jim's life will be celebrated in a private memorial service and Catholic mass. His burial and final resting place at Alta Mesa Memorial Park, Palo Alto, CA.
Memorial Donations - https://verbumdeiusa.org/donate