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July 9-15, 1998

Paul Chow
Passes Into History

He educated thousands on Angel Island immigration

BY STACY LAVILLA

Asian Americans in San Francisco and all over the country are mourning the death of Paul Chow, who passed away June 30 after a long period of declining health.

Chow, 69, died at his home, surrounded by his friends and family. For decades, he had crusaded to preserve and maintain the Angel Island Immigration Station.

Mabel Teng and other supervisors expressed their grief at this week's Board of Supervisors meeting. Teng moved that the July 6 meeting be held as a memorial to Chow's life.

Chow was born Nov. 11, 1928 in San Francisco, where he spent the majority of his life. He attended Commodore Stockton Elementary School, Francisco Junior High and Commerce High School. After graduating from UC Berkeley, with a degree in civil engineering, Chow joined the California Department of Transportation, where he rose up the ranks from a junior engineer in 1953 to become an associate transportation engineer.

Chow was a man of many interests and talents; he worked as a U.S. Navy cook and became a Navy Seal. He served as a Muni bus driver and also made small film and television appearances. As a member of the Screen Actors Guild, Chow appeared as an extra in Sister Act, The Joy Luck Club, Golden Gate, and The Fan.

Chow's greatest contributions, however, were in the public service arena. For more than 21 years, Chow worked with the YMCA at La Honda as a guide, and he also lent his hand to troubled youths from broken homes. He worked with Youth for Service and served on the city's Juvenile Justice Commission from 1964 to 1976. He was actively involved with San Francisco's Chinese New Year Parade during the 1960s and 1970s.

But Chow will undoubtedly be most remembered for his 25-year fight to maintain the Angel Island Immigration Station, often regarded as the "island of shame" by the Chinese immigrants detained there in the 1800s and 1900s.

Chow's father, whose mother was an American citizen, was detained there for six weeks and released only after an immigration official accepted a $500 bribe.

In his crusade to keep the story of his family and hundreds of thousands of other Chinese American immigrants alive, Chow tirelessly lobbied the government and helped to get funding to preserve the station.

As part of his efforts, Chow founded and served as president of the Angel Island Immigration Station Foundation and was a founding member of the Angel Island Immigration Station Historical Advisory Committee.

Chow's dedication earned him awards and commendations from the Board of Supervisors, President Jimmy Carter, the Freedom Forum, and the California Department of Parks and Recreation.

His hope was that the station and the lives of Chinese Americans would be recognized as an integral part of American history. Late last year, Chow saw at least part of his vision fulfilled when the station received National Historic Landmark status, the country's highest historic honor. Although the remainder of Chow's vision--building an information center, a replica of the administration building (which burned down), and a new pier to let tourists off closer to the station--has yet to materialize, his colleagues say his witnessing the station's national landmark status was fulfilling.

"I'm just happy for him, that he was able to see in his lifetime the designation of Angel Island as a national historical landmark," said Felicia Lowe, vice president of Angel Island Immigration Station Foundation.

Numerous health ailments in his later years never flagged Chow's spirits. Last summer, he underwent quadruple-bypass surgery and was treated for a hereditary type of hepatitis soon after. Since 1996, he had suffered liver problems and had been on a waiting list for a liver transplant for 18 months.

Dorothea Char, Chow's common-law wife of 20 years, said he died peacefully in his sleep. She hopes that alongside all of his achievements, that he will be remembered most for his generosity and kindness.

"He was always smiling, and no matter how sick he was, he always liked to help people out," she said. "He always had a kind heart for a lot of people, and I think people will remember him for his smiling face. He was a kind person, and he was very generous."

Besides Char, Chow is survived by his son Gary, his daughter Gail, his stepson Bill Char, his stepdaughter Patricia Char Miller, and four grandchildren. He is also survived by his brothers Frank and Martin, and his sisters Ruby Huey and Betty Tom.

A memorial service to celebrate Chow's life will be held Sunday at the Lincoln Park Presbyterian Church, 417 31st Ave. in San Francisco. Memorial gifts may be made to the Angel Island Immigration Station Foundation at 330 Townsend St. Suite 235, San Francisco, 94107.

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