Lien-Lin Robert Tcheng

It is with great sadness that we announce the passing of Lien-Lin Robert Tcheng on Tuesday, March 7, 2023 at the age of 83. Lien-Lin died peacefully in hospital in the presence of his children, following a brief illness.

Lien-Lin was born on September 19, 1939 in Haiphong, Vietnam and ultimately settled in Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada in 1973. Before coming to Canada, he studied at Taiwan Normal University in Taipei and worked for several years for Civil Air Transport (CAT) Airlines before pursuing a Master’s Degree in Library Sciences at the University of Texas. After arriving in Vancouver, Lien-Lin worked for the Insurance Corporation of British Columbia (ICBC) for just over 30 years before retiring on August 20, 2004 at 65 years of age. He spent the years after his retirement happily traveling and connecting with family near and far, while living in the family home on Sherbrooke Street.

Lien-Lin was a modest, caring man who lived a simple but adventurous life. He was a diligent and loving father to his children, Josephine and Jason, and was enthralled by his young grandson, Spencer. It was commented by many that he had a sweet and wonderful smile, and he loved travel, photos, peonies, jasmine tea and world politics. He was also thrifty, astute and always keen to learn new things. This included some notable culinary experimentation – no birthday celebration was complete without his noodles with tangy carrot dressing and in later years, he took to cooking a Christmas turkey each year with Asian-inspired stuffing that became a signature dish. Although Lien-Lin loved to tell stories, he was generally a quiet man and there was no discomfort in silence with him.

Lien-Lin’s life was marked by migration and movement from its inception. His parents relocated from China to Vietnam before he was born, and he lived in several cities across two continents before settling in Vancouver. He continued to travel throughout his life, and in later years often sought out distant relatives (and sometimes friends of friends!) during his trips. He visited China and East Asia several times, and travelled frequently to California to spend time with his cherished Los Angeles family. He especially loved a cruise to Alaska and a trip to Australia where he connected with extended family and came home brimming with stories. When not travelling, Lien-Lin loved to free style with photographs as a way of keeping the memories and faces he encountered during his travels alive.

Lien-Lin is survived by his daughter Josephine Giahui Tcheng (Janet Romero Leiva), son Jason Giachon Tcheng (Karen Chung), grandson Spencer Paul Chuenchun Tcheng, brother Lien-Tu Tcheng, sister Lien-Cam Wang, and former wife Youn-Gee Angela Tcheng. He also leaves numerous nieces, nephews and extended and chosen family. Lien-Lin was predeceased by his mother Hong Sai Cheng, father Man Sang Cheng, brothers Zheng Lin Heung, Zheng Lian Jun and Zheng Mm Bak, and sisters Zheng Lin Fong and Zheng Lin Kwan.

Lien-Lin was a cherished father, grandfather, brother, and friend and he will be remembered and missed.

Services to be held at Ocean View Burial Park, 4000 Imperial Street in Burnaby, British Columbia.

Donations are gratefully welcomed to Heart & Stroke (https://tinyurl.com/fu5mya7w) in lieu of flowers.