THE ADVENTURES OF PAUL F. KUNG

Kung Fan Ying was born into an aristocratic family in Hopei, China on May 7, 1924. He later adopted the name Paul. His parents were Kung Hua Tung and Kung Fan Shih. Paul was a descendent of the renowned scholar and philosopher Kung Fu Tze (Confucius). He was a track and field champion in high school. Due to the conflicts in China at that time, Paul sought his formal education at the prestigious National Taiwan University in Taipei, Taiwan. He graduated with a Bachelor of Science in Engineering in June 1950. While in Taiwan, he also taught at the high school level and learned to speak Japanese.

In Taiwan, he met Nancy Chin-Hua Huang, whom he described as being so sophisticated and beautiful that, "he needed at least $100 in his pocket to take out Miss Huang." Nancy and Paul married on October 12, 1958. They were blessed with two children: an inquisitive daughter, May Yin Kung on October 20, 1959 and an adventurous son, Roger L. Kung, on October 25, 1962. The Kung family spent many happy years in Taipei filled with a menagerie of pets. An avid dog lover, he adopted a dog fittingly named "Doggie" by May. However, Paul knew that the political situation in Taiwan was precarious, so he decided the best future for his family laid outside of Taiwan.

Paul took a huge personal risk and purchased passage alone on a ship destined for San Paulo, Brazil. Paul and the sea were not instant friends: he suffered sea sickness for several days before he got his "sea legs." In Brazil, he learned to speak Portuguese and started an import/export business while supporting his family who still lived in Taipei.

Paul ultimately immigrated to the United States where he reunited with Nancy and the children in 1968. The family settled down in Parsippany, NJ, close to Nancy's brother Joe and his family. It was not easy being an immigrant in the United States even though he and Nancy were college graduates and fluent in English. He told Nancy not to teach their children English in Taiwan because he wanted them to learn in the United States and be free of any accent. Paul became a U.S. Citizen on January 23, 1973. He worked as a draftsman until he was able to obtain an engineering job. He was certified as a Professional Engineer on June 19, 1975. Paul worked for many years as a mechanical engineer. His last place of employment was at Sandoz, Inc, now Novartis. He was fortunate to live close to work so he could return home for lunch and a quick nap. He was known to leave his coat in his office while he snuck out for a nap so that his boss wouldn't know he was gone.

Despite the initial challenges of adapting to a foreign country, Paul and Nancy filled May and Roger's lives with happy memories and fun filled adventures. Eating was the Kungs' favorite pastime. A large meal was often capped by a trip to Friendly's Ice Cream Parlor and a nap afterwards. The decision of the day was whether to have a five scoop or a three scoop sundae. Paul loved chocolate ice cream, so the flavor was without debate. Their home was filled with pets: an adopted sparrow named Birdie, a hamster named Hammy, and two dogs, Prince and Tuffy. Paul tackled everyday tasks with bravery and innovation. Once, he was completely covered from head to toe with only his eyes visible to pour boiling water into a threatening hornet's nest, while the rest of the family watched safely inside. He climbed on the roof and hung upside down to complete the painting of his two-story house. Paul was the chef in the Kung household. His specialties were Ba Bao Fan and Lion's Head.

Sadly, his wife Nancy developed Stage IV Breast Cancer and died long before her time in September 1988. Paul, May, and Roger supported each during this difficult time and became very close.

Paul later married Bohung (Bette) Yao on November 14, 1989. He proudly gave away his daughter in marriage in 1990 to Warren Fong, with strict instruction that "there were no returns." He retired and Bette and Paul moved with his daughter May and her family to Irvine, California to escape the cold winters of New Jersey. He and Bette later settled in Laguna Woods. He returned to the East Coast to witness the wedding of his son Roger to Joann Lee in 1996. Paul and Bette traveled extensively throughout the world and fully enjoyed their retired life. They enjoyed watching Chinese soap operas and gardening together. Paul picked up billiards late in life and competed aggressively in Leisure World Tournaments, winning a hoard of trophies.

Paul cherished the births and lives of his next generation, first with Tedford Fong, followed by Audrey Fong, Nancie Kung, and Madyllen Kung. Paul was a special grandfather who patiently boiled water on his stove for Ted's kiddie pool because he felt the water was too cold. He laughed and clapped as Ted played in the water. He enjoyed watching as his family became dominated by three little girl grandchildren. Since Nancie and Mady are twins, he always got a kick out of trying to figure out who is who.

Despite a life of good health from a healthy lifestyle, Paul developed Parkinson's Disease during the last eight years of his life. He finally succumbed to its effects and died serenely surrounded by loved ones at the age of ninety.

Paul is survived by his second wife Bohung Kung of Laguna Woods; daughter May K. Fong and husband Warren H. Fong, MD; son Roger L. Kung and wife Joann Kung, grandson Tedford W. Fong; granddaughters Audrey Y. Fong, Nancie Kung, and Madyllen Kung; step-daughters Mary Sun and her husband Sam Sun, Jenny Lee, and Wei Xin; and step-grandchildren Michael and Christina Sun.