Uncle Joe is a beloved family friend whom we will miss greatly.
Young-tsu and Sylvia are thinking about the many conversations, hearty laughter, and intellectual discussions they shared with Joe and June over their years together in Blacksburg starting in the 1970s. During meals and hot tea, they bonded closely over their shared values, caring for their families, and plans for the future.
As most know, Uncle Joe was a visionary architect and brilliant professor who co-founded Virginia Tech's College of Architecture and Urban Studies. He inspired countless students and colleagues over his four decades as a teacher, researcher, administrator, and advisor. In addition to their own course loads, Uncle Joe and Young-tsu co-taught a class on the Yuanmingyuan 圆明园, China's most famous imperial gardens. Many Chinese view Yuanmingyuan as the world's paramount achievement in palace architecture and landscape design. Joe was a mesmerizing storyteller who brought the intricacies of this magnificent complex to life from its beginning in the early eighteenth century and throughout its construction over the next 150 years.
In their earliest memories, Walter and Virgil can recall Uncle Joe's warm presence, gentle humor, and nurturing spirit. When Uncle Joe founded the Blacksburg Chinese School in 1979, he gave them and many other Chinese American children a strong and vital connection to their heritage. As the first principal, Sylvia worked closely with Joe and saw firsthand his gentle patience, robust energy, and exceptional teaching skills. The Blacksburg Chinese School continues to thrive 45 years later. Uncle Joe's unwavering commitment to enriching our community with a place to study and celebrate Chinese culture has profoundly impacted generations – and will continue to do so.
Our hearts go out to Michael, Mei-Lun, Vincent, Xiao-Wei, and their families. We see so much of Joe's and June's kindness, compassion, virtuosic talents, and boundless intelligence in each of them. They are a beautiful family carrying on Uncle Joe's remarkable legacy. Joe loved his family unconditionally, and we know how deeply proud he was of them. We celebrate Joe's extraordinary life and the impactful contributions he and his family continue to make to the world.