This Book of Memories memorial website is designed to be a permanent tribute paying tribute to the life and memory of Kwan Yim. It allows family and friends a place to re-visit, interact with each other, share and enhance this tribute for future generations. We are both pleased and proud to provide the Book of Memories to the families of our community.

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Obituary for Kwan Ha Yim

Kwan Ha Yim
Kwan Ha Yim of Valley Cottage, NY, grateful husband and proud father and grandfather, passed away on March 28, 2015 after an illness. He was 85 years old. Born in Sinchon, North Korea in 1929, the oldest son of Choong-Jo Yim and Chin Yi, he was forced to flee to South Korea due to political upheaval. He fought for the S. Korean Army in the Korean War and was awarded a U.S. Bronze Star for Valor. He came to the US in 1954 and attended Dartmouth College graduating Phi Beta Kappa in 1957. He then attended Fletcher School of Law and Diplomacy receiving his PhD in 1963. For 50 years, he was a Professor at Manhattanville College in Purchase, NY where he founded the Political Science department and started the Asian and International Studies program. He was devoted to the peace and human rights movement in Korea and was active in the North American Coalition for Human Rights in Korea. An avid writer, he wrote on Korean and Chinese politics and edited 5 books on Chinese politics and US – China relations. He also contributed articles to the letter to the editor page in the NY Times for over 25 years representing the views of the opposition to the Korean military regimes. He acted as special assistant to former S. Korean opposition leader Kim Young-Sam who later became President of Korea. In his free time, he enjoyed walking around Rockland Lake, golfing, and traveling. He is survived by his beloved wife of 53 years, Elizabeth, his 4 sons, Anthony, Peter, Richard and Andrew, daughter-in-laws, Carolina and Lina, and grandsons, Brian, Eric, Martin and James. A Wake service will be held from 2-4pm and 6-8pm on Monday, March 30 at Hannemann Funeral Home at 88 S. Broadway in Nyack and the Funeral Mass will be held on Tuesday, March 31 at St. Ann’s Catholic Church in Nyack at 16 Jefferson Street . More details can be found on www.hannemannfuneralhome.com . Donations in his memory can be made to St. Ann’s Church in Nyack or Doctors Without Borders, www.doctorswithoutborders.org
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