(sister of his son-in-law)  My brother, in the not so distant past, wanted to impart on me an example of Robert's rich inner world. Robert had a fairly extensive collection of literature (philosophy, business, biographical etc.) and thru the influences of both his philosophical texts and unique conclusions of his own, approached the idea that we were not reincarnated on a linear timescale, but rather, unconstrained by the limits of time and space, became every single living being ever in existence on earth.  Thus, whatever you did unto others, your consciousness would eventually experience firsthand in an indeterminate order. My brother spoke of this reverently; suggesting Robert was a well-read, contemplative person, guided by many examples of these beautiful philosophical principles as a template for how he would come to treat all he encountered. 

Robert’s family has long been friends with my family as his father and mine were good friends, both of them being born and growing up together in Taishi, 台西, a tiny village in Taiwan. So,  Robert and I as well as my two brothers have been close for such a long time like our fathers. 

We have so many good, fun memories together in Taiwan, Japan, the States and England. He was always kind, warm and helpful. 

Our deepest condolences for Robert and lots of love to his family. 
May Robert and Fang Lan, his beloved wife, rest in peace together now.   

Harumi and all my family




Robert was my mentor, travel partner, and best friend. Robert taught me and my business partner David the art of doing business in China, Malaysia, and Vietnam. Without him our business would not be where it is today. He loved great food and big dinner parties and arranging crazy adventures - like hiring an entire boat for us to cruise by the karst mountains on the Li River in Guilin, China. He loved jokes and we loved playing pranks on him. He also patiently put up with my incessant questions about Chinese culture.  His kindness, generosity and hospitality were appreciated by everyone who met him. He literally opened us to the mysteries and wonders of Asia. But most of all, he was family. There are people in your life who irrevocably change you. And Robert was one of those amazing, charismatic people who are truly rare and one-of-a-kind. My heart is broken open. I will miss this jewel of a man so much. Gate gate paragate parasamgate bodhi svaha. I will see you on the other side Yao Su Su. ❤️

I first met uncle Robert at my Aunty’s back in 2005 in Taiwan.
Every time he came to visit, he would invite me to Seattle and taught me lots of things.
He was a friendly, knowledgeable, wise and generous uncle to me. Even though we haven’t met each other in years, he still asked about me and cared for my life in Australia.
At my wedding day two years ago, he asked my Aunty to passed his bless and wishes and called to congrats me and Kevin.
We will always remember uncle Robert and his big smile 
May uncle Robert rest in peace 
Love, 
Alice & Kevin

致敬愛的姚叔叔：

我一直知道姚叔叔是爸爸的一個很重要的朋友，在模糊的童年記憶中，姚叔叔總叫我「胖妞」。

婚後先生巧合地在姚叔叔旅居的西雅圖攻讀博士，於是我們的生命又有了新的連結。在美國攻讀博士的日子，有一個父親的摯友在這裡，讓我們的遊子生活更加豐富。

姚叔叔熱情邀請我們夫妻去很厲害的海產餐廳吃飯，還讓我們帶一整隻大螃蟹回家，之後邀請我們去賭場見見世面，甚至還邀我們和他的家人一起過感恩節，吃象拔蚌大餐，參觀他在賭場贏得的超跑，這些都是我們從來沒有過的體驗。

長女喬琋在西雅圖出生後，雖然沒有那麼多時間可以聚會，姚叔叔還是在喬琋一歲生日當天辦了聚會，買了蛋糕，我們都受寵若驚。

因為有西雅圖交集，父親的朋友，也變成我們夫妻的朋友。姚叔叔是個熱情、好客、充滿智慧的長輩，從來都不會和我們這些晚輩有隔閡，是可以暢快聊天的朋友。我還記得他跟我說，先生很優秀，要一起努力打拼，我也一直笑著想說，明明他才是從小看我長大的長輩，怎麼如此誇我的先生。他就說胖妞就是胖妞⋯

聽到姚叔叔離世的消息，實在太令人錯愕震驚，我們一直想回到西雅圖，故地重游，再去拜訪姚叔叔和他的家人，卻再也沒有機會再聽到姚叔叔爽朗的笑聲了。由衷希望姚叔叔在天之靈可以過的暢快、舒心就像他在世一樣。

姚叔叔，我們想念您。



Dated back to 36 years ago, Robert himself drove a Mercedes-Benz car with me to pick-up my bride on my wedding date.
Since then, not only fully support me in my career life, e.g., we have travelled together to Saudi Arabia for business promotion several times, but also in the private life, e.g., Robert shared his privileged family life with my family. Robert invited my family to his resort villa at Guanziling and even his home town Yunlin to enjoy the happy time on the holidays.
When I encountered troubles with my wife, Robert always admonished me to treat my wife better so can have preservation of the wife and family. Special noteworthy memory was that when I faced company restructure turbulence difficulty in 1999, Robert did his best trying to introduce new job for me, also suggested me to pursue a Ph.D degree.
Owing to Robert, I still keep my wife by now and have won a Ph.D degree.
I have to specially express my sincere gratitude to Robert for all the kindness and warmhearted treatment rendered to my daughter and his husband when they stayed in Seattle for a doctorate degree.
I was so reluctant to accept Robert’s sudden pass away, for Robert has been my benefactor, my elder brother, and best friend who has long resided deep in my heart.
Life has to be an end for everybody, I believe Robert have fulfilled all his duties in the secular live, and begin to rest in peace in heaven for his eternal life. May Robert’s noble spirit long live and will keep alongside with us all the time.

In 2005, I left Taiwan for 10th grade in the US as a 15-year-old boy, and that was my first time leaving home for such long time. The school was located in the rural of Pennsylvania, where the most bustling business center was Walgreens and the tallest building was a 12-story bead house. Thus, at the time, my school life was flat and empty. Fortunately, my dearest Uncle Robert showed up. He enthusiastically invited me to Bellevue to stay at his home for every single holiday and vacation to enjoy the fun and love with his family.
Uncle Robert literally brought me up to the mountain and dive under the sea (上山下海), by took me hiking at Snoqualmie Falls and fishing carbs at the bay. He also took me to Taiwanese cuisine to recover my homesickness, to Peninsula to enjoy fresh Hong Kong hotpot, to Snoqualmie Casino to overeat king crab buffet, and to Las Vegas to test luxury French cuisine. He also took me to local ping pong club to show me his pro ping pong skill. And all these were the ways of Uncle Robert to show his love and his care to me, and that made me feel dependent and safe.
Even after years when I graduated from college, Uncle Robert continued his care of me in different ways. Once when I was in Shanghai with my fiancée for internships, Uncle Robert was occasionally there for business trip. He squeezed his spread time to meet us and see if there were anything he could assist or help. Few years later when I got married, Uncle Robert traveled all the way back to China from the US to attend my wedding as the marriage witness. And that was the best blessing for me.
Uncle Robert was a role model to me. His amiable smile, his special humor, his sincerity friend treating, and his ways of solving and dealing problems were really role model for me to learn. Regretfully, I do not have more chance to learn more from him.
Uncle Robert was a fantastic man. Someone so special can never be forgotten, may his soul rest in peace.

OBITUARY

Robert "Bobby" Bor Yi Yao

21 February, 1954 – 3 December, 2021

Sunset Hills Memorial Park & Funeral Home

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