Posted February 27, 2007

In Memoriam: Sin Ming Chiu

Sin Ming Chiu, a longtime professor of Chinese history, died Feb. 15 of a degenerative muscular disease. He was 83.

A memorial service is planned for April 7 at 10 a.m. in the Chapel of Peace in West Laurel Hill Cemetery, Bala Cynwyd, Pa.

Chiu was born Oct. 18, 1923, in Taishan, Guangdong Province, China, and came to the United States in 1949 as a student.

He received a bachelor’s degree from Indiana University, a master’s degree from the University of Iowa, and a doctoral degree from the University of Southern California.

He came to Temple in 1962 and taught in the history department, focusing on 20th-century Chinese political and military history, for nearly 30 years before retiring in 1990.

He also taught at Temple University, Japan Campus, and at the University of Delaware.

He was instrumental in the founding of On Lok House, a residence for senior citizens in the Philadelphia Chinatown.

Survivors include his wife, Helen Goodwin Lienhard, a daughter, Phyllis, a son, Herman, and an aunt and several cousins.

Chiu will be inurned at West Laurel Hill Cemetery.

In lieu of flowers, the family invites remembrance contributions to be sent to On Lok House, 219 N. 10th St., Philadelphia, PA 19107, attention Ms. Sandra He.

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