Benjamin Lau

Dr. Benjamin Lau, age 88 of Loma Linda, California, passed away on Thursday, Jan. 12, 2023. The youngest of 10 children, Benjamin was born on June 24, 1934 in Fukien, China, to a physician father and a Bible Worker mother. Excelling in school from an early age, he enjoyed tutoring his fellow classmates and, according to contemporary accounts, showing off to his teachers. As the communist regime moved into China, he moved to Hong Kong where he completed his high school education.

When he finished high school, he was accepted into two medical schools in Taiwan. He chose to enlist in Taiwan's military-affiliated medical school. However, this proved to be a poor fit, and Benjamin ended up dropping out. He then turned to writing, publishing two novels, two plays, and newspaper opinion columns. He wrote and directed a Romeo and Juliet love tragedy that earned first prize in a literature competition.

After spending a year in Australia, Benjamin immigrated to the United States where he attended UC Berkeley. It was during this time that he met and married Esther Wang. After completing his undergraduate studies, he matriculated to the University of Kentucky earning a master’s and Ph.D in Microbiology and Immunology. He then accepted a position as Research Microbiologist at the Hinsdale Sanitarium and Hospital in Illinois.

While in Illinois, Benjamin and Esther became parents to two children, Daniel and Shari. After three years in Hinsdale, he accepted a position at Loma Linda University where he would spend the next 36 years of his career as a Researcher and Professor of Microbiology and Immunology. Benjamin distinguished himself in the classroom and in the laboratory, earning Teacher of the Year honors on 16 occasions and the Basic Science Educator Award, the university’s highest honor. As a researcher, he published over 200 research papers and was awarded the “Investigator’s Award for Scientific Research” on multiple occasions by LLU and external research societies. When he retired, he was presented with the University’s “Distinguished Service Award” culminating over three decades of service.

At the age of 42, Benjamin decided to pursue Medical School while continuing to teach microbiology part-time, earning his MD degree in 1980. For 24 years Benjamin and Esther ran a private medical practice in Loma Linda. Together they treated hundreds of patients, some of whom had suffered for years with chronic conditions.

Benjamin authored 8 books, three of which were on garlic research. He became known as the “Garlic Doctor,” and his research was referenced in medical journals and lay articles earning him national and international notice.

Benjamin was committed to medical ministry abroad and traveled internationally multiple times to conduct health lectures and healthy living clinics; he received the Global Mission Award for promotion of healthcare education throughout the world and The David Chow Humanitarian Award for training health workers in China.

Benjamin is survived by his loving wife of 62 years, Esther, son Daniel and daughter-in-law Kyle, daughter Shari and son-in-law Ken, grandchildren Kris and Kyra (Shari), and Channing (Daniel), and many other loving family members. In addition to spending time with his family, Benjamin enjoyed gardening, cooking his favorite Chinese dishes, and watching Chinese soap operas.

A memorial service will be held in his honor on Sunday, Jan. 22 at 10 am at the Loma Linda Chinese Church.

Please consider donating to the Benjamin Lau Memorial Fund to benefit low-income International students seeking undergraduate study in the United States. Donations may be made online at: https://charitysmith.org/benjamin-lau-memorial-fund/ or by mail to:

Benjamin Lau Memorial Fund

CharitySmith Nonprofit Foundation

13100 Filly Lane

Trucker, CA 96161

Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.montecitomemorialparkandmortuary.com for the Lau family.