Lem Wong

Lem Wong was born on June 17, 1929, in Fargo, North Dakota, the fifth of seven children to Gilbert and Dongshee Wong. In 1932, when Lem was just three, his father moved the entire family back to southern China with hopes that his children would receive a traditional education. They settled in Pak Sha Village in Toisan, Guangdong Province. Just four months after their arrival, Lem’s father died of colon cancer at age 37, leaving Dongshee—a widow at just 31—to raise seven children alone, ranging in age from ten to a newborn.

For a time, Lem lived with his grandmother in a neighboring village before returning home to begin school. But as the Second Sino-Japanese War escalated, Lem and several siblings were sent to Hong Kong as refugees, living in crowded, precarious conditions while the war raged nearby. In 1939, fearing for her children’s safety, Lem’s mother made the painful decision to send ten-year-old Lem back to the United States. He traveled across the Pacific with his eldest sister, Pearl, returning to Fargo to live with business partners of his late father. It would be 17 years before he saw his mother again.

Arriving in America only speaking Chinese, Lem was placed in first grade at age ten. He lived apart from most of his siblings and grew up working long, unpaid hours in the family’s Chinese restaurant—peeling potatoes and apples, cleaning produce, mopping floors—while learning English and adjusting to life in a new culture. He remained in Fargo throughout his teenage years, managing school and work with resolve and independence.

At 17, Lem enlisted in the U.S. Navy hoping to learn practical skills and use the GI Bill to pursue a college education. Though he never completed high school, he continued his education during his four years of military service. After his honorable discharge, he applied to college and was accepted to UCLA. He thrived academically, earning a B.A. in Physics in 1955. He graduated Phi Beta Kappa, was inducted into the physics honor society Pi Mu Epsilon, and was awarded UCLA’s annual Physics Prize for graduating at the top of his class. He went on to earn an M.S. in Applied Physics in 1957.

Lem began his career at Hughes Aircraft and TRW before joining The Aerospace Corporation in 1962, where he worked for nearly 30 years on major research and defense projects during the Cold War and space race. His technical work was meticulous, and his colleagues respected both his intellect and his humility.

While at UCLA, Lem met Florence Chin. They married in 1958 and eventually settled in Rancho Palos Verdes, where they would raise three daughters—Lynda, Barbara, and Clara—and live for the rest of his life.

As a father, Lem was steady and deeply devoted. He read to his daughters constantly, helped with homework, shared his love of music through trips to the symphony, and encouraged them in sports—teaching them tennis and running 10Ks. Family vacations were a treasured part of life, whether fishing in Mammoth, hiking in national parks, or road-tripping to Canada. They enjoyed extended family trips to Lake Arrowhead, Oceanside, Las Vegas, and Mammoth.

Florence came from a large, close-knit family, and Lem embraced the Chin holiday family gatherings. As the Wong family grew, they coined the term “Wonganza” to describe their own abundant get-togethers, full of homemade dishes, laughter, and storytelling. One of the beloved traditions was the couple’s famous apple pie—Florence made the crust, while Lem expertly peeled the apples, a skill he honed as a child in the restaurant kitchen.

In retirement, Lem volunteered for 25 years at the Palos Verdes Library, especially dedicating his time to the History Room. A self-taught student, he remained deeply committed to education. Denied a typical early schooling, he became a voracious reader and passionate genealogist, carefully tracing his own family’s roots and helping others do the same. His quiet dedication inspired many fellow volunteers and researchers alike.

He remained physically and socially active into his later years, running countless 10K races with friends and completing two marathons. He continued to meet weekly with friends to play mahjong, share investment strategies, and enjoy lunch at local restaurants. He loved gardening and tended fruit trees—apricot, lemon, pomelo, loquat, kumquat, plum, and peach—turning lemon harvests into his favorite lemon bars. His daily walks, disciplined routines, good genes, and enduring spirit gave him a long life of vitality, connection, and curiosity.

In early 2025, Lem was diagnosed with a rare and aggressive cancer. With grace, courage, and the support of his family and medical team, he met this final challenge with quiet strength. On Sunday, June 15th, he was baptized by Pastor Dan Low and celebrated both Father’s Day and his 96th birthday with family. He passed away peacefully on June 19th, 2025.

He is survived by his beloved wife of nearly 67 years, Florence; his daughters, Lynda (Bruce), Barbara (Gary), and Clara (Alan); his grandchildren, Cameron (Taylor), Teryn, Claire (Christian), Bryce, Julia, Jordan, Noah, and Micah; great-grandchildren Ronan and Archie; and his sisters Pearl and June. He was preceded in death by his siblings Billy, Teddy, Don, and Rose.

Shaped by early loss, war, and separation, Lem’s life was marked by his resilience and perseverance. He was deeply grateful for the opportunities the United States gave him and never took them for granted. With quiet determination, discipline, and an unwavering belief in the value of work and education, he forged a remarkable American success story.

Lem Wong’s legacy lives on—in the family he raised, the life he built, and the quiet inspiration he offered to all who knew him.