Thomas Wu

Wu, Thomas
WASHINGTON, DC - Dr. Thomas Kwang-Tzen Wu, a devoted husband, father, and grandfather who served American Veterans with compassion and excellence for more than three decades as a surgeon, died on January 12, 2024, at his home in Washington, D.C.
Tom was born on Dec. 19, 1934, in Tongluo Township in Miaoli County, Taiwan. He was part of the 21st recorded generation of his family, which had immigrated to Taiwan from mainland China in the early 19th century. The son of a school principal and a teacher, he attended medical school at National Taiwan University (NTU) College of Medicine, graduating in 1960, then served one year in the Taiwanese Navy.
Tom came to the United States, in 1961 and completed his surgical residency and vascular research fellowship at Kings County Hospital Center in Brooklyn, N.Y. While living in New York City, he met Anya Shih, a fellow alum of NTU Medical College. The two married in 1968. He then did a research fellowship at the Royal Victoria Hospital in Montreal, Canada.
Tom and Anya lived for more than four decades in Delmar, N.Y., where they raised their two children. From 1972 until 2007, Tom worked as a surgeon at the Veterans Medical Center in Albany, N.Y., serving as Chief of Surgery there from 1989 to 1999. He was also an associate professor of surgery at Albany Medical College.
In retirement, Tom and Anya split their time between Clermont, Fla., and Washington, D.C., where they helped care for their grandchildren.
Tom was active in community service. He was a member of the Albany area's Taiwanese American Association and the Chinese Community Center of the Capital District, and served a term as president in both organizations. He was a longtime member of the Formosan Association for Public Affairs (FAPA).
He loved golf, woodworking, and repairing and tinkering with things. He also held two patents for medical devices.
He is survived by a sister, Yumei Chen; his wife, Anya; his two children, Portia Wu and Frederick Wu; and five grandchildren. A remembrance and celebration of his life will be arranged in the spring.
Memorial contributions may be made to FAPA ( FAPA.org ), CCC of the Capital District ( cccalbany.org ), or to your favorite charity. Online condolences or memories may be shared with the family at www.devolfuneralhome.com