In Memory of Mr Chang Kuo-sin
Jennifer Nee-wah Kim, granddaughter of Mr Chang

24 February 2006

Dear Alumni and Faculty of Hong Kong Baptist University,

Thank you for your condolences and the anecdotes you have shared with my family. Each new anecdote that I hear or read enriches the memory of my grandfather and gives me further insight into the person I adored more than anyone and who most defined my character.

I loved my grandfather’s effortless recollection of people, events, and dates in history, philosophy, and politics and his ability to instantly quote Plato, Shakespeare, and countless others. Early on he instilled in me a sense of integrity, honour, truth, and humour, and cultivated in me a love of reading and a passion for books. He taught me to speak up when I disagree, never break my promises, and always stay true to myself. He ingrained in me “There’s no use crying over spilt milk”, “Do not be possessed by your possessions”, and “Those who hate you do not win unless you hate them, and then you destroy yourself”.

As a child (all the way through my teenage years) I spent every summer and many Christmas holidays with my grandfather. As much as he taught me, he made sure the two of us had just as much fun: swimming at the Kowloon Tong Club, playing hide and seek at the airport in Hong Kong, stopping along the way from California to Oregon (and on the way back) to see my good friend Paul Bunyan (a giant statue of a character from American folklore), ice skating at Lloyd Center in Portland while he watched me and offered me some caramel corn every time I skated by, running around OMSI (Oregon Museum of Science and Industry) all afternoon, sometimes while he sat on a bench and took his nap, annual miniature golf rematches, and dessert outings every night after dinner.

As I grew older and often became frustrated with his conservative views on how I should live my life, our mutual stubbornness caused us to engage in many an exhausting debate, during which I would sometimes grow very frustrated with him. As much as I frustrated him in return, I know he wouldn’t have had it any other way.

Anecdotes from your days with Mr Chang

With your help I would like to embark on a project in memory of my grandfather in the vein of Studs Terkel. My objective is to compile a collection of anecdotes from alumni and faculty into a tome for both e-publication and traditional book form (I prefer books in their tangible form and I am sure my grandfather would agree).

Anecdotes can be long or short, funny or sad, flattering or not. Throughout the years, my grandfather toted me along to the Baptist University with him, regularly sent me assignments from his classes, and constantly lectured me. As such, I always believed that I had a full grasp of him as a professor. It wasn’t until I started reading the condolences and emails that were coming through that I realized how little I knew of my grandfather in that regard. Some things were the same, like his mannerisms of scratching his head and his persistent cough. Other things, like how he ran his classes and what he impressed upon the students, were all newly fascinating to me.

While I consider myself inherently a writer, I sometimes wonder how easily that would have come to fruition if it hadn’t been for my grandfather constantly influencing me to read and express myself. Two years ago I approached him about writing his biography. Although we had collaborated on the English version of Eight Months Behind the Bamboo Curtain, I was eager to document his life in greater detail. By then my grandfather had already grown weary and resigned on the idea. I don’t regret not pursuing the biography, as it seemed to tire him out just thinking about it. However, I would still like to create a literary record of his life, and after seeing the emails stream through from his former students and colleagues this seems to be the most befitting way, and one that he would quite enjoy were he around to see it.

In summary, I ask that the following be emailed to me at hclerval@yahoo.com :

• Name and contact details
• Major
• Graduation year
• Current occupation
• Anecdote(s) in editable format (e.g. Word document)
• Photos (if possible)

No anecdote is too long or too short. My goal is to publish the book in time for what would have been my grandfather’s ninetieth birthday (18 September 2006). It will be self-published, with copies made available to anyone who wants one. I hope that you will all participate with me on this project as it means the world to me to preserve the memory of my grandfather.

To those of you who remember me wandering around the university or ensconced in the office some thirty years ago, I know that your recollections stem not from your fond memories of me but from your fondness for the man I was with, and for that I thank you, as I am so honored and grateful to be attached to my grandfather in that manner.

Kind regards,

Jennifer Nee-wah Kim