Chiv Lim

On Friday the 3rd of May 2019, our beloved father, grandfather, brother, and uncle Chiv Lim passed away at the age of 83. Chiv was born on the 1st of December 1935, in the town of Kralang, which is located about 40 miles from Siemreap and 90 miles from Battambang. Chiv’s parents were of Chinese descents, who spoke different dialects. His father was Tiev Cheow, and his mother was Cantonese; however, both used only the Khmer language. Chiv’s father (Khin Lim) passed away during the Khmer Rouge era, and his mother (Sieng Ma) passed away in 1954.

Chiv was a very intelligent, educated, and brave person. He could speak and write five different languages—Khmer, Thai, Japanese, English, and French. When he was young, he attended Kralang Primary School where he learned Thai and Khmer because during that time Siam (Thailand) ruled two provinces of Cambodia: Siemreap and Battambang. In 1949, the entire Lim family left Kralang for Battambang. There Chiv attended the most prestigious high school known as Preah Monivong. Chiv later moved to live in Phnom Penh to complete his high school degree and received a scholarship to study Engineering in Japan where he became an Electrical Engineer. When he returned to Cambodia, Chiv was employed at the Electricite Du Cambodge (Electricity of Cambodia) until 1975 when the Khmer Rouge took over. Throughout his young career, Chiv traveled to Japan for training and continuing his education.

When Cambodia fell to the Communist (Khmer Rouge) regime in 1975, Chiv and his entire family were among the millions of Cambodian people the Khmer Rouge forced to leave the city of Phnom Penh and go to the countryside. However, his family was able to survive this ordeal. His courage helped him carry his family out of the communist regime and to the freedom of America in 1980. He was employed by Rehrig International, Inc. in Richmond, VA as a draftsman until he retired in 1993. After his retirement, Chiv worked with the Catholic Diocese in Richmond as a translator and tutor to help prepare Cambodian immigrants to get them ready for their U.S. Citizenship exam. He was well loved and respected by the Cambodian community.

Chiv was a very active and talented individual. His hobbies included traveling, hunting, fishing, enjoying good food but, his main passion was writing and drawing. In addition, he always treasured higher education. He never got a chance to complete his bachelor’s degree in electrical engineering but made sure that all of his children achieved at least four years of college education. He imparted the importance of higher education to his children.

Chiv is survived by his wife Thomas Lim, daughter Amara Halt, three sons (Amarin Lim, Amareth Lim, and Mike Lim), daughter-in-law Sinath Lim, and granddaughter Sakura Lim, who all reside in America. He is also survived by his brother Narong Om and two young sisters (Naree and Oun), who currently reside in Melbourne, Australia.

Chiv left this earth, but he will forever be remembered in our hearts and memories. He always told us not to “CRY” when he’s gone, and “to love and care for each other deeply”. Someday we all will be reunited in God’s heaven.