Memorial
Hung Huy Nguyen, Dharma name Khiet Chau, 94, passed away peacefully at St. Luke Hospital on January 01, 2025 (December 02, Year of the Dragon) with his son Tung and his grandson Vu by his side. He was born on March 17, 1930, in Phu Dong village, Bac Ninh province, northern Viet Nam.
Hung was born into a loving family as the eldest son of Trinh Huy Nguyen (Father) and Hoa Thi Nguyen (Mother) along with 3 younger brothers who passed away early due to health complications. After losing contact with his parents due to the Viet Nam war, he joined and proudly served in the Army of the Republic of Viet Nam (ARVN) from 1947-1975, in which he reached the rank of Colonel in 1969.
In 1949, he married the love of his life Luu Thi Pham, they had 9 children together (5 sons and 4 daughters). During his time in the military, Hung obtained a bachelor’s degree from the National Defense College Cao Dang Quoc Phong. He was awarded The National Defense Honorable Medal 5th Degree (1959), 4th Degree (1966), Army Medal First Class (1966), and more than 30 other medals. In 1969 he became the Vice President of The ARVN Scout Association. Hung’s communication skills coupled with the prominent physical feature of his big ears earned him the nick name Voi Hoat Bat (Fluent Elephant). He has always had a passion for writing. He often wrote poems for his children and grandchildren for their birthdays and special holidays. In 1971, he became The Editor in Chief for the ARVN newspaper Tien Tuyen (Frontline) until 1975.
Hung was one of few who survived re-education concentration camp after the Viet Nam war ended in 1975. After 13 years in the camp, he was released to come home to rejoin his family in South Viet Nam. In 1992, Hung came to America with all his family members to join his oldest son in Marion, Iowa. Later, he decided to move to South California and settled to continue his love for writing. He wrote articles and poems for the Vietnamese News Paper in California. In his later years, he moved back to Marion, Iowa with his wife Luu to be closer to his 3 eldest sons.
He is survived by his lovely wife of 75 years, Luu Thi Pham, his 8 children, Long Huy Nguyen (Eldest), Van Thu Ly Nguyen, Hai Huy Nguyen, Tung Huy Nguyen, Dung Huy Nguyen, Lan Ngoc Nguyen, Yen Bach Nguyen, Hoang Huy Nguyen, 5 daughters in law, 4 sons in law, 16 grandchildren, and 6 great grandchildren. He was preceded in death by his parents, 3 younger brothers, and his daughter Xuan Le Nguyen.