Howard Wong

July 15, 1933 – June 19, 2023

It is with great sadness that we announce the passing of Dr. Howard Wong. He passed away peacefully at home on June 19, 2023 at the age of 89 years. Howard was a devoted family man and will be dearly missed and lovingly remembered by his wife of 58 years Angela, their three children Michelle, Denise (Chris) and Charisse, and his beloved grandchildren Melissa, Bradley, Kristen, Keaton, Nicholas and Isabella. He is also survived by a few siblings and many in-laws, cousins, nieces and nephews.

Howard was born in Vancouver and attended Strathcona Elementary and King Edward High School, where he had many fond memories playing baseball and rugby. During his post secondary studies, he developed a lifelong love for learning. He earned a Bachelor of Science and a Master of Science in Mechanical Engineering at the University of California, Berkeley, an Aeronautical Engineering degree at the California Institute of Technology, a Ph.D. in Aeronautics and Astronautics Sciences at Stanford University, and a Master of Business Administration in Urban Land Economics from the University of British Columbia.

As a doctoral student at Stanford, his thesis involved thermal equilibrium behind ionizing shock waves and he designed a camera to photograph a shock wave by measuring the refractive index. He was awarded the Ford Foundation Aerospace Research Grant while at Stanford and received first place in the doctorate division from the Institute of the Aerospace Sciences Minta Martin Student Competition. In 1964, his professor Dr. Daniel Bershader recommended him to Lockheed Martin where he spent 8 years in the Missiles and Space Division. While at Lockheed, he performed theoretical and experimental research in hypersonic shock waves, high temperature gas dynamics, infrared radiation, radar, lasers and missiles. His research resulted in 6 Publications and 65 Citations between 1961-1967.

Howard returned to Vancouver in 1972 with his wife Angela Eu, whom he met at Stanford, and his two eldest children. His third child was born in Vancouver. He returned to work in the family business, Keefer Laundry, which his father Chow Yin Wong founded in the 1900s as a small hand laundry in Vancouver’s Chinatown. Over the years, the laundry became one of the most advanced automated laundries in Canada. New generation laundry equipment was installed, all systems were computerized and new logistics in processing laundry was devised. The laundry grew to service hotels, hospitals, commercial institutions, the airline and shipping industries and restaurants. He was also President of Management Computer Consultants, providing consulting and data processing services specializing in inventory control and distribution, and President of Keefer Holdings, involved in the investment, development and renovation of commercial real estate.

In 1979, he received a U.S. Presidential Fellowship Award to the Aspen Institute. In 1980, he received the City of Vancouver Heritage Recognition Award for the restoration of a historic building which served as a medical-dental center in Chinatown. In the past, he served as Director of the Oversees Union Bank of Singapore (Canada) Audit and Loans Committee, President of the Rotary (Vancouver East) Service Organization, Chairman of the Chinatown Historic Area Planning, City of Vancouver, Director of the Canadian Club of Vancouver and Director of the Arthritis Hospital Society.

Howard will be fondly remembered for his kind and caring nature, his witty sense of humor and his fondness of sports. He was known for his incredible work ethic, drive, perseverance and dedication to greatness. Despite his hard work, he always made time for his family. He was a loving, kind, respectful, caring and supportive husband, father and grandfather. There was a special quality about him, where he always brought the family together and kept the family united. He was so proud of all his children and grandchildren and took the time to celebrate their accomplishments. Howard will forever be missed, but we will cherish the many memories he created with family and friends celebrating special occasions, going out for dinners, traveling the world and playing golf and tennis.

At the end, he battled Parkinson’s and Prostate Cancer without ever complaining. He passed peacefully the morning after he celebrated Father’s Day surrounded by his wife, children and grandchildren who played all his favorite music and sang along with him. He is now in Heaven with God and other loved ones enjoying everlasting happiness.

The family would like to thank his family doctor and all the specialists, his nurses and caregivers, the first responders, the medical staff at Lions Gate Hospital and the Palliative team for their excellent care.

A Celebration of Life will be held on Friday, July 14, 2023 from 1-4pm at Capilano Golf and Country Club, 420 Southborough Drive, West Vancouver. Please RSVP to [email protected].

In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation to the Lions Gate Hospital Foundation Hospice & Palliative Care team.