Hsien San Lu

Eulogy

I would like to express my heartfelt appreciation to my brother Simon and my sister May for giving me the honor of writing the eulogy for our Dad. This gesture means so much to me. I also want to sincerely thank Jessica, Eric, May, and Simon for their unwavering dedication and care for Dad/Grandpa. Your compassion and love will always be remembered.

在此，我要向我的弟弟Simon和妹妹May表达深深的感激，感谢你们给予我为父亲撰写悼词的无上荣誉。这份信任对我而言意义非凡。同时，我要衷心感谢Jessica, Eric, May和Simon对父亲/外公无微不至的照料。你们倾注的关爱与付出，我将永远铭记于心。

My dad was a man of unwavering principles and deep convictions—a pillar of the community, a loving father, and a devoted grandfather. His wisdom and guidance inspired us to achieve success: building thriving businesses, excelling in the IT industry, and embracing leadership roles with confidence and integrity.

先父一生持守正道、矢志不渝，既是乡邦柱石，更为慈严并济的尊长。在他的引领下，我们不仅创立了成功的企业，更在信息技术与领导力领域臻于行业之巅。

Dad may not have been physically towering, but he was a giant in every aspect of our lives. He always had a solution for the challenges we faced, guiding us with wisdom, patience, and care.

先父, 虽非伟岸之躯，却是我们生命中巍然屹立的高山。面对人生困境，他总能化出万千解法，以睿智与温情为我们拨云见日。

He was deeply immersed in and proud of our culture, holding three things especially close to his heart: his country, his family, and his community.

先父一生建树颇丰，然其最为珍视者有三：报效家国尽忠贞，抚育子孙倾心血，造福乡梓献赤诚.

对得起国家

Service to His Country

For his country, he walked away from wealth and fortune, choosing instead to dedicate his expertise where it was needed most. He designed New China's first high-voltage power grid—a groundbreaking achievement that brought electricity to key industries and populations. As the author of the authoritative High-Voltage Transmission Design Handbook, his work became essential for engineers and inspired advancements in the field. His contributions extended far beyond power systems, shaping critical infrastructure and laying the foundation for national rejuvenation (民族复兴).

为了祖国，他放弃了财富与荣华，选择将毕生所学奉献给最需要的地方。他主持设计了新中国第一套高压输电网络，这一开创性成就让重要工业区和人口密集地区首次用上了电力。他所编撰的《高压输电设计手册》成为工程师的必备指南，推动了整个领域的技术进步。他的贡献远不止于电力事业，更深刻影响了国家基础设施建设，为民族复兴奠定了重要基石。

Throughout his life, my dad dedicated himself to helping his country become strong and respected on the world stage. In his younger years, he was a courageous leader in the student movement against corruption, a commitment that cost him his hard-earned place at one of the nation's top institutions, Jiao Tong University. Despite enduring immense hardships—living under difficult conditions in Northeast China, facing persecution for speaking out for justice, and being sent to a labor camp (building road at -30 C below temperature Shirtless)—he never wavered in his commitment to serving his country. His resilience and unwavering principles were an inspiration to all of us.

在他的一生中，我的父亲致力于帮助他的国家变得强大并在世界舞台上赢得尊重。在他年轻的时候，他是一位勇敢的学生运动领袖，积极投身于反腐败斗争。这一承诺让他失去了在中国顶尖学府之一——交通大学——辛苦争取到的学籍。尽管经历了巨大的苦难——在中国东北艰苦的环境中生活，因坚持正义而遭受迫害，并被送往劳改营(甚至在零下30度的天气中赤膊劳动修路)——他从未放弃为国家服务的决心。他的坚韧和坚定的原则。

对得起家

Dedication to our family

Dad's dedication to our family exemplified the true essence of a father’s love and sacrifice. As a first-generation immigrant, he faced enormous hardships in a new country, navigating unfamiliar cultures and countless challenges. Despite being a highly accomplished engineer, his exceptional skills and achievements were not recognized in Canada. At the age of 50, he started over, taking jobs as a cashier at a corner store and as an office cleaner to support us. To save even the smallest amount, he walked across the Knight Street Bridge—rain or snow—just to save 25 cents.

One of Dad's significant opportunities was lost due to a Canada Post strike; he did not receive the notification for his interview with BC Hydro on time. His second chance came from an engineering firm in Calgary. During the interview, the chief engineer was deeply impressed by Dad's extensive knowledge and accomplishments. Referring to the High-Voltage Transmission Design Handbook that Dad had authored, the engineer famously remarked, "I don’t understand Chinese, but I do understand math and physics." This recognition of Dad’s expertise marked a pivotal moment in his career.

However, despite their admiration for his expertise, the firm could only offer him a consultant position, as Canada did not recognize his engineering experience and credentials. I remember my ESL teacher, Dad's family, and even his friends doubting that his salary could truly be as high as it was.

Dad moved to Calgary alone to save money, renting a tiny room that could barely accommodate a bed, with a shared bathroom and kitchen. Simon and I saw the place when we visited him at Foothills Hospital. He had gone blind in the middle of an intersection due to high blood pressure—a moment that deeply shook us and underscored the immense sacrifices he made for our family.

My son Jordan and I were cleaning up Dad’s things last week when we noticed that, even though we had very little money, Dad still made sure we saved carefully. I remember how he helped me set up my RRSP when I had a job. That kind of guidance and coaching has really helped me throughout my life. Now, May, Simon and I all own our home.

Dad also ensured that his grandchildren's education was fully supported, setting up a RESP (Registered Education Savings Plan) for each of them. The strong educational foundation he provided paved the way for their success in life. Today, among them, we have an engineer, a future CPA, a skilled sales professional, and Citizen Service Officerr—each excelling in their chosen paths.

The younger generation remembers Dad as someone who was extraordinarily frugal with money. But that’s not the father I knew.

When we were children, Dad never hesitated to spend on us. I still remember:

• Buying ice cream during our evening family walks—a simple joy he made sure we never missed.

• Treating us to chocolate, a rare luxury in our apartment complex where most didn’t even know what it tasted like.

• Bringing home BBQ pork, an unimaginable indulgence in 1970s China.

His generosity extended far beyond treats. He:

• Supported relatives in financial need without a second thought.

• Covered all of Mom’s medical expenses during her hospitalization at West Lake (西湖) Hospital, ensuring she received the best care.

先父用一生的奉献，为我们诠释了最深刻的父爱。作为第一代移民，他在陌生的国度里披荆斩棘，用双肩为我们撑起一片天。这位曾设计高压电网的工程师，在加拿大却不被认可。五十岁那年，他放下身段，在杂货店当收银员，在写字楼做清洁工。为省25分钱车费，他总徒步穿越Knight Street大桥，风雨无阻。命运曾因邮政罢工让他错失BC Hydro的机会，但卡尔加里的面试改变了这一切。当总工程师翻阅他的《高压输电设计手册》时说："我看不懂中文，但我懂数学和物理。"这句认可，成为父亲职业生涯的转折点。尽管能力出众，他只能以顾问身份受聘。记得当时连ESL老师都怀疑："一个移民的薪水怎么可能这么高？"为节省开支，他独居卡尔加里，蜗居在仅容一床的斗室。当我们在山麓医院见到因高血压昏倒街头的父亲时，才真正明白他为我们承受的重量。

整理遗物时，孙子Jordan发现：即便清贫，父亲仍将每份账单保存完好。他手把手教我开设RRSP的情景历历在目，这些理财智慧让我受益终生。如今，我们三兄妹都有了属于自己的家。

先父为每个孙辈都设立了教育基金(RESP)。如今，他们中有工程师、准会计师、销售精英和公务员——每个成就都在诉说，那个为省25分钱徒步过桥的老人，为后代架起了通向成功的金桥。

晚辈们总说父亲节俭，但那不是我记忆中的他：

• 记得全家散步时，他总会给我们买冰淇淋

• 在那个巧克力都稀罕的年代，他让我们尝到了甜蜜

• 七十年代，他带回叉烧肉，那是整栋楼都不敢想的奢侈

他的慷慨远不止于此：

• 亲戚有困难，他总第一时间相助

• 母亲在西湖医院住院时，他承担了全部医疗费

先父用一生告诉我们：爱不是给予多少，而是愿意付出什么。那些他徒步省下的车费，最终化作了我们人生路上的明灯。

对得朋友

A true friend

Dad was the cornerstone of our community. With his command of English and a selfless spirit, he became a trusted guide for countless families navigating the challenges of life in a new country. He assisted them with government forms, healthcare and insurance matters, and banking and finances, often completing tax returns free of charge for those in need. His meticulous guidance extended to immigration paperwork, ensuring families could move forward with confidence. No request was ever too small or inconvenient for Dad. He translated documents, explained cultural nuances, and offered reassurance, leaving a lasting impact on every life he touched.

先父是我们社区的基石。凭借流利的英语和无私的精神，他成为了无数新移民家庭最信赖的桥梁。

从填写政府表格到办理医疗保险，从银行业务到税务申报，父亲总是不厌其烦地提供帮助。他常常免费为困难家庭准备税表，更以专业细致的指导，帮助许多人完成移民申请材料。再琐碎的请求，父亲都欣然应允；再复杂的文件，他都耐心解释。

他不仅翻译文字，更搭建起文化沟通的桥梁；不仅解决实际问题，更给予新移民继续前行的勇气。那一份份经他之手的文件，一个个受他帮助的家庭，都是这位"社区父亲"留下的最珍贵遗产。缅怀父亲

Remembering Dad

Though frugal with himself, Dad’s generosity toward his family was boundless. I still remember the small joys he brought us, like buying ice cream during evening walks, treating us to chocolate—a rare luxury in our community—and bringing home BBQ pork, a delicacy in 1970s China. Beyond these gestures, Dad’s selflessness extended to supporting relatives in financial need and ensuring Mom received the best medical care during her hospitalization at West Lake Hospital. His love, resilience, and unwavering principles have shaped us in ways that words cannot fully capture. His legacy lives on in every life he touched, and he will forever be remembered as a man who gave selflessly to his country, his family, and his community.

尽管对自己很节俭，但父亲对家人的慷慨无与伦比。我至今记得他为我们带来的小小欢乐：在晚间散步时给我们买冰淇淋，买巧克力让我们尝试，这在我们的社区中是极为稀罕的奢侈品，还带回了烧腊，这在上世纪70年代的中国是不可想象的美味。

父亲的慷慨不仅仅体现在这些小事上。他毫不犹豫地帮助需要经济支持的亲戚，并确保妈妈在西湖医院住院期间得到了最好的医疗护理。他的爱、坚韧和不屈的原则塑造了我们，超越了言语所能表达的范围。他的遗产存在于每一个受他影响的生命中，他将永远被铭记为一位无私奉献于国家、家庭和社区的人。

Kevin Lu June 9, 2025