Vale Dr Henry Fong Yun-Wah (1924-2022)
One of the most interesting people I met during my employment was Dr Fong Yun-Wah 方潤華. I recently learned that he passed away earlier this year.
He was always interested in events and the people around him. When he heard that I was about to have a major operation in early 2004, he advised me to make sure it took place before the Chinese New Year to ensure that it was successful. The six-hour operation took place the day before Chinese New Year - and the outcome was the best that could be expected.
Fong’s family was from Dongguan in Guangdong Province and he moved to Hong Kong with his father at about the age of five after his mother’s death. After much hard work, he became Chairman of the Hip Shing Hong Group of Companies, the Fong Shu Fook Tong Foundation and the Fong Yun Wah Foundation.
His schooling was interrupted by the Sino-Japanese war which explained his commitment to helping to realise the potential of others through education. Continuing his father’s philanthropic tradition, he established dozens of schools in Mainland China many in remote regions. Sponsorships from his family's Foundations were also directed to all tertiary institutions in Hong Kong, many on the Mainland and several internationally.
Dr Fong received so many Honorary Doctorates and Citizenships from around the world, that the term 'global citizen' was ideal for him. Fittingly, one of his donations established the ‘Henry Fong Award for Global Citizenship and Peace’ which is managed by the International Network of Universities. Of his many awards, three are worth highlighting for their diversity; an MBE, and the Silver Bauhinia Medal of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region. But perhaps his most interesting recognition was having an asteroid named the 'Fong Yun Wah Star'. A lofty accolade indeed!
Dr Fong will be remembered well for the ongoing benefits of his many philanthropic works directed at education, health and the environment. I imagine he would have been most proud that his family remain committed to his high ideals.
