Yon Pich

Pich is remembered for his efforts in preserving traditional Khmer dance, drama and arts after the Khmer Rouge regime genocide in Cambodia from 1975-1979, and for his work with the Long Beach Unified School District in crafting its Southeast Asian Learners program that helped integrate Cambodian youth into local schools.

From Cambodia to America

Pich was born June 17, 1938, in Kompong Cham, Cambodia. As a boy he would walk several kilometers to listen to a troubadour who went from village to village playing folk ballads, according to family.

Though his parents had no training in the visual arts, Pich’s grandfather was a violinist with the court orchestra in Cambodia’s Royal Palace. As a child, he would direct other children in theatrical scene and in 1955, he toured with a group of national performers acting out short comic sketches.

Pich worked as a public servant of Cambodia’s Department of Foreign Affairs. He was stationed as secretary at the Cambodian Embassy in Burma and later in the same position at the country’s embassy in Vietnam.

He came to the U.S. as a refugee in 1975 with his wife, Yem Pich, and their two children, Youthea and Chovvy.

He landed his first job in the U.S. installing audio systems in cars, then worked for LBUSD from 1981 until 2003 as a student evaluation technician bilingual in English and Khmer, according to Chris Eftychiou, a district spokesman.

Saving a culture

Many in the community remember Pich’s work making sets of traditional Cambodian masks used in dances and drama, said his son Youthea Pich.

The colorful masks are constructed with layers of paper and glue, and are used to portray characters from Cambodia’s myths in folk dances. The labor-intensive process takes immense concentration.

“He cared deeply about his community,” said Suny Lay Chang, the daughter of one of Pich’s close friends.

Pich was also a founding member of the Cambodian Association of America, the oldest Cambodian-American association in the U.S., where he served as a board member until his death.

Working with youth

Pich was also instrumental in LBUSD’s Southeast Asian Learners program, said Judy Seal, daughter of Betty Seal, who helped found the program with members of the Cambodian community.

“I never doubted they would succeed,” Seal said. “You go into Cambodia Town today and it’s thriving. It’s just amazing.”

Fighting for freedom

Seeing what almost happened to that culture and knowing what happened to the people who couldn’t make it out of Cambodia stuck with Pich for the rest of his life.

Just before his father’s death, he reflected on Cambodia and what had happened since the rise and fall of the Khmer Rouge, Youthea Pich said.

“He felt really bad that the whole war happened,” he said. “He was crying to my sister.”

Thira Srey, 74, who grew up in the same village as Pich, said her friend saw oppression and wanted to fight against it.

“When he was young he would do a lot of sketches and pin them up on a palm tree trunk so everyone could read,” Srey said. “He had the spirit of fighting for liberty and freedom.”

Family man

Pich’s family remember him as a focal point in their lives. He was always around, always bringing people together.

Youthea Pich’s son, Justin, plays soccer at Long Beach Poly High School.

“[My father] attended and video recorded all my son’s games until near the end,” Youthea Pich said. “He made extra copies for his grandson, other families and coaches. Many players and families had mentioned that he was Long Beach Poly Soccer’s biggest fan.”

Pheany Chey, 76, a cousin by marriage, said people are already continuing Pich’s work.

“Any time Cambodians had a festival or an [even], he was there,” Chey said. “He documented it all. What he did isn’t going out in vain.”

More than anything, Chey says he’ll remember his friend’s sense of humor.

“He was always thinking of puns,” he said, adding that he would sometimes call early in the morning with a new joke.

Yon Pich is survived by his wife, Yem; son Youthea; daughter Chovvy Khou; daughter-in-law Deborah Pich; son-in-law Huot Khou; five grandchildren Trisha Pich, Justin Pich, Brian Khou, Kenny Khou and Tevy Khou and great-grandson Phoenix Khou.

Funeral services are scheduled from 11:30 a.m. to 2 p.m. Feb. 7 at Stricklin Snively Mortuary in Long Beach.