Kenneth Yok Keung Lam was born in 1927 in a small rural village, Nam Moon Lei, in Xinhui, Guangdong, China. He grew up under extreme poverty conditions during the Japanese invasion and occupation of China. Despite his hunger for education, as the eldest son, he had to leave school after Grade 6, at the age of 10, to work to supplement the family income. With his keen intellect and industrious nature, Ken established a modest stationery business in China and later in Hong Kong to feed his own young family before moving, at the age of 25, to Flin Flon, Manitoba, Canada. By 1972, he and his wife had earned enough money in the restaurant business to move their six children to Vancouver, BC, where they continued to work tirelessly to support their family until their respective retirements. Ken was a valued member of the Lim Sai Hor Kow Mock Benevolent Association, the Kong Chow Benevolent Association of Canada, and the Vancouver Chinese community.

Ken believed passionately in family and the pivotal value of education, so it was only natural that he would instill in his family a strong appetite and dedication for learning. Some of his proudest moments were celebrating the many academic achievements of his children and grandchildren, including 1 BA, 7 BSc’s, 1 B Pharmacy, 1 BSc MD, 2 MDs and 1 PhD, with 10 degrees earned at UBC. Ken faced much adversity throughout his life, but he met them with quiet courage, complaisance, and grace. Ken passed away peacefully surrounded by his family on 19 August 2015 at the age of 88. His family expresses its heart-felt appreciation to his relatives, friends, and medical team for their love, care, and support over the years.

Ken will be lovingly missed by his wife Shum Chee; children Stanley (Leanne), Barry (Lucy), Mayda (Ken), Maisie, Benny, and Mimi (Tony); grandchildren Natalie (Kurt), Lori (Shane), Adria (Mike), Bianca, Gilbert, Lauren, Kelsey, Bryan, and Janine; and great-grandchildren Aidan, Zachary, Carina, Justin, and Vanessa.

To honour Ken’s legacy, you can make a gift to the Kenneth Yok Keung Lam Memorial Scholarship at UBC. This fund was established by his family to provide a $1,000 annual scholarship to outstanding Vantage College students who are entering second-year studies of any undergraduate program at UBC. This scholarship honours Ken’s life journey and legacy: his valuing of education, his work ethic and his courage and humility through adversity. The scholarship is available to students made on the recommendation of Vantage College.