On November 30, Robert Hung Ngai Ho—a philanthropist, newspaper journalist, editor, and patron of contemporary Buddhism and Chinese culture—passed away in Vancouver at the age of 93.

Born in Hong Kong in 1932, Ho was the grandson of Robert Ho Tung, a prominent businessman and philanthropist known as “the grand old man of Hong Kong.” During World War II, he moved to southwestern China before returning to Hong Kong to finish secondary education. He later studied in the US, obtaining a bachelor of arts degree from Colgate University and a master of science in journalism from Columbia University in New York.

Throughout his career, Ho dedicated himself to journalism and to managing his family’s properties and investments. While in the US, he worked for the Pittsburgh Press in Pennsylvania and National Geographic. After returning to Hong Kong, he joined and led the Kung Sheung Daily and Evening News publications, owned by his grandfather. He also chaired the Newspaper Society of Hong Kong, which advocates for “a global exchange and social responsibility in journalism.” In addition, Ho served as chairman of the Hong Kong Community Chest and Tung Lin Kok Yuen, a Buddhist nunnery and educational institution in Hong Kong, as well as a trustee of Lingnan College, now Lingnan University.

Building on his family’s philanthropic tradition, Ho focused his charitable work on four areas—health care, education, Buddhism, and Chinese culture. He sought to improve physical and mental well-being, bring Buddhist wisdom into contemporary life, and foster cross-cultural understanding.

In 2005, Ho established the Robert H. N. Ho Family Foundation to promote Chinese culture and Buddhist teachings globally. Based in Hong Kong, the foundation supports art education programs for young people and has published award-winning books on Buddhist art and philosophy. It also provides grants to educators, composers, curators, and writers for creative projects, professional exchange, and research across Asia and North America.

In recognition of his contribution and commitment to the arts, academia, and society, Ho received numerous honors. In 1982, he was named a Justice of the Peace by the Hong Kong Government. He later received the Order of British Columbia in 2013 and the Order of Canada in 2018. He also held honorary degrees from universities in Hong Kong, Canada, and the US.

Ho is survived by his wife Greta, his sons Robert and Kevin, and his five grandchildren.

Joan Yiquan Chen is an editorial intern at ArtAsiaPacific.