Thomas H. Wong

Tom Wong peacefully entered into rest on July 25, 2016 at his home in Saratoga, CA, surrounded by loving members of his family. Beloved husband of 30 years to Mei Wong; loving father of Michael, role model to grandsons by Michael and Sina: Kyle, Shaun, Brandon, Jordan, and Cameron; loving father of Patrick (Angela), source of laughter to grandchildren Ethan and Zoe. Survived by brothers Sam (Anita) and Ben, sisters Katina, Hedy, and Sandie (Jim).Born in Macau, now the special administrative region of China, Tom was predeceased by his parents Chung Yung Wong and Po Jane Wong. Tom spent most of his childhood with his parents and siblings, first in Guangdong Province, China, later in Hong Kong. In 1957, after graduating from the academically-vigorous Pui Ching Middle School in Hong Kong, he traveled alone on a student visa to the United States for higher education. With connection from a distant relative, he settled in central California for junior college and part-time jobs. It was later, in 1960, that he excelled in the environment of UC Berkeley, majoring in Electrical Engineering. After graduating in 1962, Tom went right into the fold of the Silicon Valley digital revolution, starting with Fairchild Semiconductor as a microprocessor chip designer. His major contribution in that field blossomed when he joined start-up Advanced Micro Devices (AMD) in 1969, where he was employee number 22. His award-winning chip designs were instrumental in AMD's successful IPO in 1972. As a senior Fellow at AMD, he went to another pioneering chip company, Actel where took on more of a management role.Tom is not a one-dimension guy. He was once a big opera fan. Scuba diving was also his passion in his younger days. He also played and competed regularly in the fast-moving game of table tennis. He and his wife, Mei, traveled extensively all over the world. When he was at home, he generously gave his time to solve any of your computer issues you would bring in front of him. His biggest achievement, however, was his life-and-death battle against stage-4 nasopharyngeal cancer in 2006. With his tenacity and Mei's meticulous care-giving, Tom was cleared of the scourge in less than five months. Unfortunately, long-term side-effects of the treatment to the throat muscles took him away from us.We will all miss Tom greatly. A very gentle man, loving father and husband, always with a sense of humor.