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TA CHUN HSU

About

Columbia University Haverford College

TA HSU Obituary

HSU--Ta Chun (T.C.), our esteemed president emeritus and director, died peacefully in his sleep on Sunday, December 27, 2015 at the age of 97. T.C. lived a full life. He was a gentleman in every sense of the word, dedicated, deeply loyal, a good friend, and counselor to generations of colleagues at the Starr Companies and The Starr Foundation. T.C. was born in Beijing in 1918, son of Yu Hsuen Yang (mother) and Tsing Lo (Singloh) Hsu (father), brother of the late Ta Ching (Irene) Hsu and the late Vivian Hsu Jee, and beloved "Uncle T.C." to many. T.C.'s father was one of the earliest backers of Cornelius Vander Starr's businesses in Shanghai and, when Tsing Lo Hsu was killed in the early days of World War II, Mr. Starr brought T.C. to America to complete his college education. T.C. never forgot Mr. Starr's generosity and friendship and made significant contributions to Starr's organizations over the years. T.C. attended the University of Shanghai from 1936-1938 and graduated from Haverford College in 1942 with a B.S. in economics. He earned a masters degree at Columbia University in the School of Journalism in 1944 and began his career with the news department of the Chinese Information Service in New York. He returned to Shanghai to work on the Chinese edition of The Shanghai Evening Post and Mercury, newspapers owned by Mr. Starr. In 1947, T.C. joined the staff of the Shanghai Commercial & Savings Bank until 1949, and then joined Starr's American International companies in Hong Kong and later San Francisco. In 1964, T.C. moved to New York to work directly with Mr. Starr on a variety of projects, including the management of The Starr Foundation, Mr. Starr's private philanthropic foundation. After Mr. Starr's death in late 1968, T.C. became President of The Starr Foundation and served in that role until 1999. T.C. remained an active director of the Foundation until his death. T.C. will be laid to rest in China. A memorial service in New York City is planned for a future date.

M.R. Greenberg, Chairman The Starr Foundation

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

Published by New York Times on Dec. 30, 2015.

Memories and Condolences
for TA HSU

Sponsored by The George Washington University.

24 Entries

Robin luo

December 25, 2019

Another year passed by but your legacy shines on. Merry Christmas, TA Hsu.

Robin luo

October 8, 2018

Dear Mr. Hsu,
I have come to know you from my friend who has told me many interesting stories and I am very much a fan of what you have done as a business leader as a Chinese in America on a global stage. What a fulfilling life you have led. You come from an era when China was not at all so recognized and respected in the world of nations. And you have acomplished deeds unfathomable to us these days. And, yo uhave achieved this in such a solid, morally laudable fashion. May you be with Him and enjoy your fraternal peace. Amen.

X D

December 12, 2017

Dear Mr. Hsu,

I am thankful for the contributions you made to the Haverford community. The legacy of your philanthropy lives on thanks to the scholarship you funded, and as a recipient I will be always grateful to your support.

T. C. Hsu, Virginia D. Hartman, Hu Shi, Hu Tsu-wang, Chinese Embassy, Washington D. C., c 1941

Susan Chan Egan

October 3, 2016

Ta-chun Hsu was a delightful gentleman. I first met him in 2003 while doing research on a book on Hu Shi, the scholar, social reformer, and China's ambassador to the U. S. during WWII. I found a photo (circa 1941) at the Academy of Social Sciences in Beijing showing Hu Shi and--I suspected--his nurse and mistress V. D. Hartman, along with his son and--I believed--T.C. Hsu. I sent him a letter at AIG asking if he was the dashing young man in the photo and to confirm the identity of the woman. He told me he lost his father during the war, but gained two: C. V. Starr and Hu Shi, who, indeed, loved T. C. as if he were his own son. Mr. Hsu was so much fun I went to see him every time I was in New York. It was good to see him still lucid and full of good humor in the summer last year.

Alexander Calhoun, III

March 14, 2016

Dear Uncle TC, I find it hard to believe you have passed on. Thanks for the 53 years of love, kind words, gentle smiles, and martini's (when I got old enough)! I'll never forget your visits to San Francisco, staying at your octagonal home upstate as a child, being able to visit you in NYC as an adult, and bringing my children to meet you! I feel so blessed to have had our last visit and dinner around the corner from your apartment. Remember what fun Katie, you and I had? I'll never forget you. Godspeed. Rest in peace.

Emily Cho Rocca

January 6, 2016

I'm relieved that my father, Morley Cho, never had to deal the the death of his best friend, T.C., since he went first. It is truly the end of an outstanding group of friends.

patricia Rey

January 6, 2016

you will never be forgotten dear TC!!!!!! thanks for the memories, your kindness, your humour. Last November when we spoke we set up a date for 2016....It will not happen but I will never forget your happiness and mine of sharing just a few kind words...

Jerry Kelly

January 6, 2016

He'll be remembered with a tear in our eye for having lost him and a smile in our heart for having known him.

TC Hsu with Mr. & Mrs. Will Chao

Will Chao

January 3, 2016

Will Chao

January 3, 2016

Dear Uncle Hsu, thank you for the time we spent together during your remaining years. I will cherish the knowledge and wisdom you imparted to me. May you rest in peace.

Roderick Chu

January 2, 2016

I have been blessed with knowing this very gentle man for over three decades as the dear friend of my godmother and others in the NYC Shanghai Chinese community. I and his many other friends will miss him dearly. My thoughts and prayers are with him, his family, and friends.

2012/09/23 JulianaKoo 107 HotelPierre 231619R

Roderick Chu

January 2, 2016

2012/05/19 KennethSze MemorialSvc SohoApartment DSC07810

Roderick Chu

January 2, 2016

2011/05/20 AileenPei 99 ColonyClub 175111C

Roderick Chu

January 2, 2016

2007/09/22 JulianaKoo 102 HotelPierre 185114B

Roderick Chu

January 2, 2016

2007/09/22 JulianaKoo 102 HotelPierre 231032R

Roderick Chu

January 2, 2016

2007/09/22 JulianaKoo 102 HotelPierre 222508R

Roderick Chu

January 2, 2016

2007/09/22 JulianaKoo 102 HotelPierre 214817R

Roderick Chu

January 2, 2016

2007/05/19 AileenPei 95 ParkAveApartment 184210

Roderick Chu

January 2, 2016

2005/09/25 JulianaKoo 100 RainbowRoom 232113K

Roderick Chu

January 2, 2016

2005/09/25 JulianaKoo 100 RainbowRoom 193249C

Roderick Chu

January 2, 2016

V B

December 30, 2015

Please accept my deepest sympathy. May God bring your family peace and comfort during this difficult time.

December 30, 2015

Please accept my sincerest condolences. May God and your fond memories bring your family peace and comfort during this difficult time.
Ms porter

December 30, 2015

During this very difficult time your family is in my prayers. Continue to meditate on the beautiful promises found in God's word! Very soon God's Kingdom will bring all of these about!

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