Robert Shum Yat Sang

Robert Shum Yat Sang (岑逸生) was born in Guangdong province, Enping County (恩平縣), Shitang Village (石塘村), China, on August 26, 1917. He was the only child in his family who had the opportunity to obtain a post-secondary education. Robert graduated from Ling Nan University (嶺南大學) with a degree in Veterinary Medicine. He was very successful in operating an agricultural program sponsored by the Rockefeller Foundation and became an Associate Professor at the university. Unfortunately, because of the Japanese invasion of China, he did not have a chance to continue in his profession. Later, he and his family had to flee China because of the Communist victory in China’s civil war. Robert first escaped to the Dominican Republic in 1950, and his wife, Guan Wing and his 3 eldest children reunited with him in 1952.

Starting from scratch, Robert and Guan Wing successfully established restaurant and hotel businesses as their family grew to include seven children. In addition to his work in the family businesses, Robert worked part time at the Embassy of the Republic of China (Taiwan). Because of this connection, he was able to get help from the Embassy and the U.S. government when the family had to flee the Dominican Republic during the 1965 Civil War. They were also fortunate to receive sponsorship from the Rose City Presbyterian Church which enabled them to settle in Portland, Oregon. Robert and his family again began another chapter in their lives, this time as refugees in America. Initially, he and Guan Wing worked in restaurants in Portland and eventually opened several Chinese restaurants, with the family, before retiring from the industry in 1983.

Retirement was simply a pivotal point for Robert, an avid learner and scholar. At the age of 70, he attended universities in Portland and obtained his Legal Assistant and Notary Public certifications. In the next decade, he achieved his real estate license before he turned 80. Robert was dedicated to helping the local Chinese community and was an Associate Director at Portland’s Chinese Social Services Center for several years. Later, he opened the Chinese Overseas Services office in Chinatown, where he assisted many individuals and families with immigration and translation services.

His wife Guan Wing, his eldest son Richard Sr., and his grandson Jason predeceased Robert. He is survived by daughter-in-law Amber, his children: Jean (Don), Chio (Mary), Margaret, Robert Jr. (Mary Ann), James (Trudi) and Charlie; his grandchildren: Anthony, Stephanie (Tom), Richard Jr. (Lucy), Brookes (Connie), Bobby, Jade (Ian), Luke, Eliza (Thomas John), Kara, Marina, Cameron, and Sean; and great-grandchildren: Justin, Nathan, Calvin, and Chloé.

Robert was a very caring person and was fondly remembered by his nieces and nephews for all the help he gave their parents, and for his kindness and encouragements. As a loving father and grandfather, Robert always instilled family unity and a strong work ethic; he also stressed the importance of education and service to the community. He continued to express the importance of our family’s heritage and roots while expressing pride in being an American, as he wanted his family to truly embrace the Chinese culture and language that are a part of who we are as is our identity as Americans. Even during his last days, he often talked about his homeland and encouraged family members to visit the Sang village in China.