Vicky Chiu-Irion

Favorite Daughter

I am the dinosaur’s [in reference to Jason Pang’s story] daughter. My father once told me that it was risky – very risky – to give a professor an opportunity to speak, as a teacher cannot stop until the 50-minute lecture is pau. Well, my classes across the street [at Kapiolani Community College] are two days a week and run seventy-five minutes each, so sit back, take notes, and get ready for the pop quiz [in the stories shared by Ed Hirata and Randy Chu] . . . . No, no, not to worry, we have to get out of here before the cemetery workers get overtime pay!

Along with my mother and brother, we thank you all very much for your presence here today. We greatly appreciate your taking time to bid aloha to a wonderful scholar who was a demanding task-master, but nurtured his students to do their best, and to love learning. We must also give thanks to some names left off the program -- former student Calvin Tam, and his wife Violet; and Dal and Sharon Wong for helping me with the food.

Dad’s passing was completely unexpected, and much too soon. He returned to Honolulu on January 14, after a 20-day journey to Singapore, where his younger sister passed away on January 7. He was supposed to be in Washington, D.C. next week, and he was already ticketed for an additional four trips. Last year he took fifteen trips, and fourteen the year prior. He was a most busy man! But someone has other plans for Dad.

Dad, your classmate and Scouting buddy in Singapore expects you to make changes in heaven, so you have a big workload ahead of you. Maybe they’re experiencing some structure vibration issues related to wind impulses. I’m sure you’ll figure it out.

While most of you know my father on a professional level, you may not know that he was the very proud Grandpa. In these “retirement” years, Dad made time to take his most precious Krysten and Ryan on wonderful trips – China, Europe, Asia, and cruises. They also spent a lot of quality time together – special time between Grandparent and grandchild. Always the teacher, sometimes they’d practice Mandarin; sometimes they’d do math problems; sometimes they’d work on Scout badges; sometimes they’d just tell jokes and talk. Grandpa knew so much about everything!

When I was last in China, in 1987, we visited a pottery factory. My father purchased “Lao-shi” for me, remarking that he wanted to be remembered as a scholar.

As my father has touched each of your lives, I challenge you to carry on his legacy. Share your knowledge to make this world a better place. Nurture and mentor the next generation. When you’re passionate about something, that excitement permeates and spreads to others. Attack wholeheartedly each task, and stop nothing short of your best effort.

My father once told me that education is something that can be acquired, but can never be lost, stolen, or taken away. It is the most precious thing you can give someone. In your daily lives you have the opportunity to share your wisdom. As you share this knowledge, teach, not just to teach, but nurture your students to love discovery and learning – just as my father did.

Rest in peace, Dad. We all love you, and will miss you immensely. We’ll do our best to carry on your legacy. You will be forever in hearts, smiling down at us from the stained glass behind the 2^nd floor landing in Keller Hall.