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In Memoriam: Founder of UC Davis’ Electrical and Computer Engineering Department, Ronald Soohoo:
https://ece.ucdavis.edu/news/memoriam-founder-uc-davis-electrical-and-computer-engineering-department-ronald-soohoo
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It was a privilege to have known Ron, even though I did not know him very well. He spoke with confidence but with such modesty that few would guess that he had enormous accomplishments. His memoir should be required reading in California and Asian American history courses. The world needs more people like him!
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I was lucky enough to be one of the recipients of the Soohoo-Lee Award back in 2014. I remember fondly of having dinner one summer with Ronald, Rosie, Francis, and Kit and talking about politics, Chinese-American culture and what the American dream meant. I also received invaluable advice from Ronald, one of which I remember him saying "Small problems can turn into large problems if left unchecked"........this is something I apply to my professional and personal life today.
Stan Cheung
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Bonnie and family. Please accept my deepest sympathy on the loss of your beloved father. He was an exceptional scholar and will be greatly missed.
Sincerely, Sheila Lewis
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Every summer I visited cousins in NoCal when my mom visited her relatives.
One particular summer probably 40+ years ago I found myself stuck in Davis and cuz Rol and cuz Bon weren't around. I was terrified I was going to be stuck with nothing fun to do and I wasn't the one to sit and enjoy a book.
I always heard Uncle Ron was super smart and I wasn't sure what was gonna happen, was I gonna be forced to read, study or solve math problems. Up to then my conversations with Uncle Ron were always sorta brief and polite.
Instead fun Uncle Ron came to my rescue, he introduced me to video games on his new Apple computer and thus the start of the life-long video game addiction lol. All good.
Cuz Bon then took over and took me to a UCD class where I felt like Young Sheldon Cooper sitting in the front row and with cuz Rol we dug holes in the backyard for a deck until the rain ruined those plans. At least that's how I remember it ...
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We are saddened by the passing of Ron Soohoo. I have known Ron for more than 40 years, ever since our family moved to Davis in 1980. Ron was warm and welcoming to a relatively new comer like myself. He and his wife have always been the gracious hosts for the annual Davis Association New Year Banquet after dinner social at their house.
I learn more about Ron's life by his bilingual auto biography "Chinese Roots and my American Dream". Ron chronicled his childhood in China, his early years in school as a brilliant student, his experience as an immigrant in his newly adopted country, how he got into prestigious academic institutions such as MIT, Stanford and CalTech. As an immigrant myself, I found the book inspiring and fascinating, as Ron shared his personal life such as his courtship for Rosie, his pride in the achievements of his children. He did much to build up the Electrical Engineering Department as a pioneer then as the first Chairman of Asian descent.
Ron's life is that of a successful immigrant story who found his American Dream, contributed much to the University of California Davis, to the local community and to this country.
He will be missed by us all.
Joe Chan, M.D.
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While Cousin Ronald's passing away is sad, the saving grace is that it was a long, well-lived life. We will all miss his wit, wisdom and charm; but he will still continue to live on in our collective memories, and in his continuing inspiration on how to live life to the fullest.
With fullest sympathies and condolences to his grieving family,
Cousin Dewey & BQ Seeto, along with Conrad, Derrick, Margot, & Elliot
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I am so sorry to learn about the passing of uncle Ronald, as I know him. Vonny and I have enjoyed many family gatherings together and I have learned about many of the early days of his studies and early work. He had his head in science and the arts, and it was impressive that he wrote the book. He also sponsored our band to come up and play for the family and neighbors just before the pandemic, and gave a wonderful speech there about how to balance work life and arts. Thanks again for all the wonderful memories. I am sorry I am not able to be there with you for the funeral, as I am in Norway taking care of my dad.
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2018, Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering, Davis, CA, USA
Soohoo-Lee Award, 2018
— with
Saif Islam, Ron Soohoo and Hao Wang
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2018, Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering, Davis, CA, USA
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2018, Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering, Davis, CA, USA
Alumni Celebration 2018
— with
ECE Faculty
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I am deeply saddened by the news of Prof. Ron Soohoo’s passing. Our paths crossed for a short time during 2017-20 when he frequently joined departmental events such as alumni celebrations and student awards. He profoundly influenced my thoughts on scholarship, leadership, and commitment to public service.
Prof. Soohoo was the Founding Chairman of my Department (known as Electrical Engineering in 1965) with the support of his department colleagues after it was spun out from UC Berkeley. He has been a towering figure in teaching and scholarship and a role model for generations of students and colleagues. It has been a joy and privilege to know him.
The world is better because he was always an active scholar and an extraordinary citizen—sincere condolences to his family and friends.
I am sharing some pictures from our 2018 Alumni Celebration Lunch and Year-End Dinner with Faculty, Staff, and Students. Many alumni members expressed gratitude to him for his dedication and passion for teaching.
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Ron had been a role model of Chinese faculty at UC Davis and the most respected senior member in our Rho Psi Society. It is a big loss to the Soohoo family and the community here. We will always remember Ron. Daihua and Gang
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Dr Soohoo was a wonderful person, intelligent and loving. I feel fortunate to know him.
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My wife Shao Shia and I extend our deepest condolences to Rosie and her family for their loss. I shall miss Ron very much.
John Ling
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My memories of Uncle Ronald was of two worlds 1) Quiet low key Uncle who was an extended relative and 2) a world renowned professor involved in science way beyond my comprehension. I can still remember holiday meals and evening bike rides with him in a small town called Davis when I was of junior high school age. Hearing of his accomplishments over 60 year span and seeing him fly back home from Russia and China ( wearing those hats) was amazing. I did not know his impact in the science field then but 15 or 20 years after, I realize how advance his mind was. His discoveries were so advance. I heard his travel stories and learned about his international worldly science contributions with amazement (top secret stuff at that time). But what really impressed me was his devotion to family. He partnered with Auntie Rosie and was extremely proud of his son, Roland, and daughter Bonnie. He didn't verbally express his love but I could tell it was extended to Kit, Peggy, and Reina). He was proud of all.
So I can imagine Uncle Ronald doing some research in heaven and looking down on his family on earth. He is smiling at us all.
With fond memories,
Nephew Lawrence
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