Louis Tue Hovanky

Louis Tuê Hovanky (1940-2019) Louis Hovanky passed away peacefully in his sleep at home in Torrance, California on October 6th at the age of 79. He was born on January 21st, 1940 in Vietnam to Tran Ho and Hong Ho. After he earned his French and Vietnamese baccalaureate degree in 1959, he attended Dalat University and received a degree in Philosophy. Thereafter, he became a high school teacher at An Xuyen High School in 1964. In 1966, Louis joined the Republic of Vietnam (RVN) Air Force and underwent pilot training at Randolph Air Force Base (AFB) in San Antonio, Texas and at Keesler AFB in Biloxi, Mississippi. In 1968, he graduated from the Dalat Military Academy and transferred to the Liaison Service (a cover name for unconventional warfare), a division of the RVN Joint General Staff. In 1972, he was assigned to the role of Academic Instructor, teaching Political Philosophies, Leadership and General Psychology at the Dalat Military Academy. In 1975, he was accepted as a refugee to the United States following the collapse of the Republic of Vietnam due to the North Vietnamese communist aggression. He took odd jobs and completed courses at El Camino College until he was accepted to California State University (CSU), Long Beach where he earned a B.A. in French. In 1994, he received teaching credentials from CSU Dominguez Hills and became an elementary teacher for the Lawndale School District. After retirement, he continued to work part-time at the Los Angeles International Airport as a translator and never missed a single workout at the gym after his workday. Last year, Louis co-published a family biography with his sister, Dr. Kim Hovanky, titled “The Nobility of Our Hearts: From Ben Suc to Sai Gon to Austin” to celebrate the memory of their beloved mother. He was devoted to his family, compassionate to all and never left the house without a book to read. Louis is preceded in death by his parents, Tran and Hong Ho, and his older brother, Tuong Hovanky. He will be forever loved and remembered by his wife of 49 years, Lanie, his children, David (Saki), Aline (Trevor), Michael and his granddaughters, Mitsuki and Akari. He will be greatly missed by two brothers and four sisters, as well. A Buddhist Memorial Service will be held at Peek Funeral Home (Chapel 1) located at 7801 Bolsa Avenue in Westminster, California at 9:00am on Sunday, October 20th, 2019. A public viewing continues until 1:30am. The funeral service and procession will begin thereafter and the cremation commences at 3:00pm.