TAN, Reverend Doctor Wee Chong, born January 6, 1930 in Xiamen City, Fujian Province, China, fell asleep in the Lord, January 10, 2013. Survived by his sisters and their families: Grace, Scottsdale Arizona; Rachel, Austin Texas; Sylvia, Los Angeles; Esther, Los Angeles; Helen, San Jose; and his brother Chen Fu Zhong in Hong Kong. Dr. Tan’s memory will be cherished by his loving family and legion of friends all over the world.
Visitation at McCall Bros. Downtown (1400 Vancouver Street Victoria, BC), on Sunday, January 13, 2013 at 4 pm – 8 pm. Parastas (Memorial Service) and All-Night Vigil at All Saints of Alaska Orthodox Church (5363 Patricia Bay Highway, across from Elk Lake), on Monday, January 14, 2013, beginning at 7 pm, everyone welcome. Funeral Service at St. John the Divine Anglican Church (1611 Quadra Street Victoria, BC), on Tuesday, January 15, 2013 at 11:30 am. Eulogies will be offered at the reception in the Church Hall of St. John the Divine. Burial at Royal Oak Burial Park (4673 Falaise Drive, Victoria, BC). Condolences may be offered the family below.
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Mary Wong
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Alex and Barbara Mitchell Our recollections of Wee Chong Tan begin over 50 years ago when we were graduate students at Indiana University with no titles and single names (Tan, Alex and Barbara). Tan and Alex were pursuing doctorates in the Biochemistry Department at the Indiana University Medical Center (Indianapolis) while Barbara commuted to Bloomington for doctoral work in art history. Alex’s first encounter with Tan involved responding to the query “are you Jewish?” What a strange question! Alex replied that his father came from a small Greek island in the eastern Mediterranean and could easily pass as an Arab, Israeli or Turk. We soon realized that Tan had a heightened cultural and ethnic awareness and he worked meticulously to respect the sensitivities of others. This, of course, provided the foundation for his subsequent life-long activities in religion and education.
The Biochemistry department in the 1960s contained a remarkable mix considering that the state of Indiana was very traditionally Midwestern at that time. Concepts of diversity and multiculturalism were not yet on the horizon. The combined staff, students and faculty encompassed US citizens of African, Asian, Hispanic and European origin. Scholars from abroad (Canada, Ceylon–Sri Lanka, England, India, Iraq, Israel, Japan, Pakistan, Scotland, Thailand) added to the melting pot. It was a wonderful opportunity for Tan to promote harmony among groups with ethnic and political grievances. The 1960s ended with now Dr. Wee Chong Tan going to England for postdoctoral research at the Imperial Cancer Research Fund. Concurrently, he studied for the priesthood in the Church of England eventually becoming Reverend Dr. Wee Chong Tan. At the same time we relocated to New York City where Alex did postdoctoral research at the Rockefeller University in the laboratory of Bruce Merrifield (1984 Nobel Laureate in chemistry). Tan visited us in the mid-1970s and gave a very well received talk to the Merrifield laboratory on a trip to China.
Our meetings became less frequent over the years after we returned to California. A memorable exception was a trip to Victoria in 1995 after a family wedding in Washington. Tan gave us a wonderful guided tour of Victoria including the impressive Butchart Gardens. We hope that we have provided you with a sense of Tan’s pre-Canadian life and career. Hopefully, he will inspire many others to follow in his footsteps. Something must be done to mitigate the polarization and violence that seems to be growing worldwide by the day. Rest in peace, Reverend Dr. Wee Chong Tan.
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Hans-H. Wild Dear Family Tan,
today I was reviewing some old photographs and notices of various travels I took to Israel and Egypt in the 70 and 80.
And I remembered that my friend Jürgen and I met Wee Chong on a trip from Tel Aviv to Cairo, Alexandria, Luxor etc.
We became friends and spent all our time together (about 2 weeks).
I was impressed by his sound knowledge, good humor, his modesty and his interest in people and cultures.
We laughed a lot and enjoyed our time.
He invited us to visit him in B.C. , but unfortunatly we couldn’t realise it and by the time we lost contact.
So today I googled his name and found this sad information.I’ll always remember him as a warmhearted and caring man with a unresistable smile and kindness.
Fare well old friend…..
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Beata I hope that heaven is everything you hoped for. In the meantime, you are sincerely missed here on earth. R.I.P.
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Omar El-hagg Love and miss you forever and all ways R.I.P
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Michael Lium-Hall Thank you for being such a visionary and for leading the way. You were an inspiration to me and many others. Your life lives on in our hearts and minds and in our work to serve humankind.
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Murdock Tiantang Ren Wee Chong, I miss you so much, and will miss you forever. I lose the mentor…
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Kathye Dear Wee Chong,
I learned from you how to cook good rice. After then I always did it your way. From now on I will keep doing it the same in memory of you. Rest in peace.
Sincere condolences to Wee Chong family.
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Lynda Hundleby Wee Chong was a special person to many. Lynda had the privilege of meeting him as a biochemistry lecturer in the 1970’s and later as a preacher, humanitarian and friend. His message from the pulpit was always clear and we looked forward to his sermons. We experienced his humble and friendly yet intellectual self. We will remember his kindly humour with that twinkle in his eye. Thank you for sharing your talents, teachings and wise counsel and for inspiring us, Wee Chong – we will miss you.
Sincere condolences to Wee Chong’s family from Walt and Lynda (nee Chiu) Hundleby
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Karen Smith Wee Chong I will miss you very much. I remember our dinners when you 1st arrived at St. John’s Church in Chinatown, out at the college, and in the years that followed. You will always have a special place in my heart. God speed, heaven has a brilliant new angel.
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Jiancheng Zheng My sincere condolence to Dr. Tan’s family. Dr. Tan will be sadly missed not only by his family but also his friends.
I met Dr. Tan in mid 80s when I came to Vitoria as a visiting scholar from Xiamen, mainland China. I was deeply impressed by Dr. Tan’s enthusiasm to pioneer in introducing Chinese medicine to Canada with his wisdom and efforts. I remember he ever taught courses on Tao and Gandhi in his colleges. Dr. Tan has inspired and influenced so many students and his friends during his life time. Rest in peace, Dr. Tan.
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Vancouver Island Compassion Society The Vancouver Island Compassion Society is very saddened by the loss of Dr. Wee Chong Tan, our landlord and friend for many years. We will miss his kind and generous spirit. Our condolences to his remaining family.
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Valla Eiriksson Dr. Tan was truly a citizen of the world. I am truly honoured to have been counted among his friends. I first met him in the early 1990’s, I had a little glass studio across the street on Cormorant Street. At the time I was working on a Canada Council funded project, using several large kilns for casting glass. The hydro bill that came in February was a shocker – I realized I would have to sell my book collection to cover it. I had a limited edition, 2-volume set of the History of Chinese Calligraphy, printed in Hong Kong. I took the set across the street, and met Dr. Tan for the first time, in his office. After hearing my situation and why I needed to sell these treasured books, he asked me: how much is your hydro bill? I told him the amount. “Sold!” he exclaimed. Many years later, having moved away and then back to Victoria, I met him again – we were going to the same church! We became close friends, and I was his “English secretary” for several years, handling his voluminous amounts of correspondence, helping him with his autobiography, and acting as companion to appointments and events. I am so grateful to God for the gift of this friendship, and for the life of Wee Chong Tan. Memory Eternal, Dr. Tan.
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Edward and Susan Norman Wee Chong was a dear and generous friend to my wife – Susan – and me, and our two older children. We first came to know him when I was Music Director at St. John-the-Divine, Victoria, in the late 1970’s, After that we met each other almost weekly when I was part-time faculty at Lester Pearson College of the Pacific. We moved to Vancouver in 1981 and encounters became infrequent, but the memories were – and are – warm and indelible. My wife and I particularly treasure his graciousness and rich humour which was present even in the course of very strong and frequent arguments! We both deeply respected his consistency of life and belief. Our deepest condolences to his family.
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Thomas Leung Dr. Wee Chong Tan had been a valuable member of the Victoria Canada China Friendship Association for years. His support and wisdom will be missed by us all. On behalf of all our members, I would like to express our sincere condolences to his family.
Thomas Leung, President, VCCFA
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Samantha Jennings Being a single mother of two back in 1989, I was able to attend CCAOM due to Dr. Tan. He was the catalyst to my having a career in a fabulous, meaningful profession of 29 years. I have fond memories of sharing a meal with him in the old basement of CCAOM. Dr. Tan was an inspiration to so many and he will be sorely missed. My condolences to his family.
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David Gartrell Penny and I are saddened to learn of the death of our dear friend, Wee Chong. We will miss the warmth of his greeting and his keen interest in the details of our lives and family. He and his Pearson students enlivened suppers at our home in the day when my father (Roy Gartrell) was Bishop of B.C., and in the years that followed we came to appreciate Wee Chong’s reach into the worlds of the spirit, the academy, and ideas in all their aspects. On behalf of the Gartrell family I send our sincere condolences to the family of Wee Chong Tan.
– David Gartrell, Penny Hocking, and family
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Professor S.Z. H. Jafri, Secretary Indian History Congress Indian History congress deeply mourns the demise of Dr. Tan. May the departed soul rest in peace.Condolaence s are offered to the family members of the brieved .
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Judith Davies(nee Eastaugh) Wee Chong was my mentor and teacher of Biology and Chemistry at Pearson College 1978-1980.(Year 5) He was inspirational in his teaching especially in Biochemistry and Cancer research which I was able to take into my training as a medical doctor. I have many fond memories of his enthusiasm, humour and love for his fellow man. He was a true polymath and will be sadly missed.
My condolences to his family.
With love.
Judith Davies(nee Eastaugh)
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Heather Thompson I had the privilege of meeting Dr Tan several times and introducing him at our graduation ceremonies in 2005. Such a visionary Spirit was he and I’m indebted to his vision for having been able to attend CCAOM. I will enjoy an cup of tea in his name and honor an incredible life. Thank You Dr Tan
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Mary Watterson My deepest sympathies to Wee-Chong Tan’s family.
Dr. Tan has influenced and enlightened so many people during his lifetime. He exemplified being and acting in accordance with one’s beliefs.
Among his many attributes he was a pioneer in bringing Chinese medicine to Canada. In 1984 Dr. Tan called me and asked why there was no TCM school in British Columbia. In reply to my response that it was illegal here, he simply said that it was time to start one. A week later he came over to Vancouver to meet with interested member of the TCM community. Not long after that the Canadian College of Acupuncture and Oriental Medicine was established.
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Ashwin Joshi Wee Chong was a kind, generous and wonderful man in addition to being a scholar and philosopher of note. I am privilidged to have known him (he was my teacher at Pearson College). A smile creeps up on my face every time I think of Wee Chong. Thus it will always be. Rest in Peace Good Sir.
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LeticiaDuenas My sincere condolences to the family and friends of Dr.
So always remember him as a generous person with
Love of God rest in peace.Leticia.duenas
San Diego Ca.USA
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James Lam My deepest condolences to Dr. Tan’s family. He was an amazingly creative, deep, and original thinker who had the utmost passion for life and ideas. During my time as a student and registrar at the Canadian College of Traditional Chinese Medicine I had the great fortune of being treated to many a memorable lunch. His simple lifestyle contrasted sharply with the complexity of his mind and his Museum of Chinese Discovery was, without a doubt, the work of genius.
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Louise Demorest Dr. Wee Chong Tan, a friend of Jesus, Gandhi and Confucius. I attended the TCM school Dr. Tan founded and lived in his house of all sorts for a couple of years while attending the CCAOM (1991 to 1994). Dr. Tan was a great friend, always willing to share of his time and energy, always supportive of scholarship. Dr. Tan told me many times of how grateful he was that people gave him a break and supported him to leave China and study in the West. He never forgot how he was blessed and in turn poured his blessings upon others. He was a brave man. He left his home country and became not only a noted scholar but also an Anglican priest. I think I was the only student who attended both his lectures at the TCM College and his sermons on Sundays at St. John the Divine where in both places he would talk about Christ’s love and the Tao….and it all made sense in a Dr. Tan sort of way. He was never afraid to speak his mind and to do the impossible. He was well known and well respected in Victoria. I last saw him a couple of years ago living in the building that used to be a garage surrounded by his books (stacks and stacks of books) with his simple cot in the corner and the little cook stove to make tea and his favourite noodles. It saddens me to think that I can no longer pop by for a visit to share noodles sitting at the long tables Cambridge style ( I once tried to clean up his kitchen and separate the long tables so people could get in and out easier and he quickly put them back and explained that this is how is was done in Cambridge). Dr. Tan you have kept the faith. You are with our Father in Heaven. You have done so much for so many and now you can enter His rest. Peace to your friends and family members who will deeply miss you. Dr. Tan, it was a great priviliege to have known you, I will never forget all the lessons you have taught me and how you have imparted your deep love of China and all things Chinese. Amen.
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Kathleen Gibson I’ve known Wee Chong since his days teaching at Lester Pearson College of the Pacific. His blend of scholarship and commitment was unique in my experience. Anglican ministers with doctorates in biochemistry and fluency in several languages are quite rare!
Wee Chong’s sense of humour was infectious. He told a wonderful story of an encounter in a Hamburg train station when a couple of young people were rude to him: he told them off in fluent German for disrespect to their elders.
His enthusiasm was infectious too. Wee Chong always practised what he preached, whether it was welcoming refugees or growing organic food, and he inspired others to join him. His life and example were a gift to me and to many.
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John Bergbusch and Pauline Majcher We have many good memories of Wee Chong. His sermons at St Johns were always thoughtful, spiritual and delivered with humility. The twinkle in his eye, his charming sense of humour, and his obvious love of humanity and nature endeared him to us.
He was an outstanding man of his age… well educated, well traveled and in communion with his Lord and Saviour. We will miss him.
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Sharon Constantine Firstly, my sincere condolences. I first met Dr. Wee Chong Tan in 1982, when I started my employment at Lester B. Pearson College of the Pacific. He always stopped by the reception desk when in the main building and spoke to me. When Dr. Tan left Pearson College, he gave me a beautiful mint green scarf and a jade hanging ornament. These I will treasure always. Quite some time later in 2005, I began working at the Canadian College of Acupuncture and Oriental Medicine. As soon as I walked in, I saw Dr. Tan’s picture displayed on the wall as the College’s Founder. When he came in to visit one day, he remembered me. I was so impressed. I visited him a couple of times at his home on Courtenay Street and he made me tea and we chatted. Dr. Tan was a very, very smart man and he had a whimsical sense of humour. I will never forget this incredible man! – Sharon Constantine
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Hari Mohan Srivastava and Rekha Srivastava Wee-Chong Tan is going to be missed terribly by one and all – not only by his close friends such as ourselves, but also by all those members of the Chinese as well as other Canadian communities whose lives were greatly enriched by his dedicated and whole-hearted services in many diiferent ways. We will cherish the memories of his last telephone call to us right after he was awarded a Queen’s Medal of Honour earlier this month (January 2013). How happy and cheerful he was throughout our long telephone conversation! We were planning to go and see him, and congratulate and facilitate him in person, but the Almighty God had a shockingly different plan for Wee Chong. May his soul rest in heavenly peace and tranquility!
– Hari Mohan Srivastava and Rekha Srivastava
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Tom and Ann Widdowson We are truy sorry to hear of the death of our friend, Wee Chong, whom we have known for many years. We will remember him for his friendship, generosity and dedication to promoting friendship between Canadian and Chinese people. He was a most remarkable man, who worked on combining a traditional Chinese world view with modern science.
Tom and Ann Widdowson
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Terry Pearson Wee Chong was such a positive force and a deeply caring and “organic” man. The world was certainly made a better place by his being! We will all miss him. Condolences to his family and friends worldwide. He would want us all to do “good things” in his memory.
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Robin Tunnicliffe Dr. Tan was a creative thinker and a wonderful generous spirit. I have fond memories of walking around his garden on Cormorant Street. He had several agricultural experiments in progress and many green designs, ahead of his time.
He was always looking to connect, to further knowledge and broaden networks. He will be missed, but his thoughts and ideas live on in those he inspired.
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Christina Chan Dr. Tan,
your legacy is safe and in caring, courageous hands.
We’ll continue to serve the community and carry on the name for many, many years to come.
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Aaron I always experienced Dr. Tan as a man of great warmth, humour, and intelligence. His tremendous courage and determination in bringing Chinese Medicine to the people of this region are deeply inspiring. Dr. Tan’s work has an immeasurable impact that will outlive all of us.
Rest in Peace, Reverend.
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Noel Taylor The world is a better place thanks to the grace, kindness, generosity and vision of Dr Tan. I am so fortunate to have shared a part of Dr Tan’s life.
You uninspired so many!!!!!
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Chris Sihoe My deepest sympathies to the family of Wee Chong Tan. You have lost a dear brother and we have lost a great friend, teacher, and mentor. Having known Wee Chong since the early days of the Canadian College for Chinese Studies, I know that he is now in a great hall still writing his books, organizing lectures, and meeting with all the other like-minded souls of the great people that Wee Chong had come to admire and emulate throughout human history. He is now among them.
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Jean-Paul As a graduate of the CCAOM, I owe Dr. Tan a great debt of gratitude. Rest in peace, Dr. Tan.
It saddens me to discover Dr. Tan’s passing. He was an inspiration, full of life, wisdom, and innovation. I am grateful to have attended the Canadian College of Acupuncture and Oriental Medicine as one of the pioneering students and had the honour of having him teach us. I will never forget his words, ” you are not a master of your craft until you have 50 years of experience.” Apparently, I am still in my infancy as I have another 25 years to go before I master the art of Chinese medicine. You will be missed dearly and you will forever stay in my heart fondly.