Kwang Soo (Tom) Han

Born in Seoul, Korea on June 18, 1931, Kwang led a life filled with love, courage and remarkable achievements. Kwang grew up during the Japanese occupation and just three months after enrolling at Seoul National University, the Korean War broke out and Kwang joined the Korean army where he served in the military police and as a translator for five years.

In 1956, Kwang was the first in his family of nine children to leave Korea and travel to the United States, where he enrolled at the University of Oregon and received a B.S. degree in physics in 1960. Kwang then enrolled at the University of Maryland, during which time he drove taxis in Washington, D.C. to help defray student expenses and earned a M.S. degree in physics in 1965. Upon graduation, Kwang joined Hampton University as Assistant Professor of Physics while also continuing his academic studies at the College of William & Mary where he earned a Ph.D. in Physics in 1972. During his 33 years at Hampton University, Kwang became full Professor and served as Chair of the Department of Chemistry and Physics and established a multi-year research program with NASA – Langley Research Center and the Department of Defense. As a researcher, Kwang specialized in plasma and laser physics and was a trailblazer in attracting national grants to fund his research and numerous graduate students. Kwang established the first Ph.D. program at Hampton University and received the Christian and Mary Lindback Distinguished Teaching Award in 1986.

Outside of work, Kwang was active in his community where he was member of Community Presbyterian Church for more than 50 years and also served as an elder and member of the choir. He also was an active member of the Korean Scientists and Engineers Association, SE Chapter. In 1987, he was honored by the Korean Government for his outstanding contribution to the Korean community.

Those left behind to cherish the memory of Kwang are his beloved wife of 59 years, Sue Han; daughter, Grace Han McMahon and husband Ted McMahon; daughter, Esther Han Roberts and husband, Jeremy Roberts; grandchildren, Natalie Han Hawkins, Jack Han McMahon, Ian Han McMahon, Ellis Han Roberts and Charlotte Han Roberts; and brother, Sung Soo Han and wife, Jung Un Han.

A memorial service will be held on April 4, 2026 at Community Presbyterian Church in Hampton. In lieu of flowers, the family requests that memorial contributions be made to either Community Presbyterian Church, 400 Fox Hill Road, Hampton, VA 23669 https://www.cpcva.org/give or Hampton University, Kwang S. Han memorial scholarship, Attn: Gary Hunter, Sr. Dir. Donor and External Engagement, Wigwam Bldg. Ste.100, Hampton, VA 23668. https://hamptonu.almabase-beta.com/g/day-of-giving-2026, Make A Gift, search KWA for The Kwang S. Han Current Use Scholars Fund.

The family would like to express their sincere appreciation to the staff of The Chesapeake and Amedisys for their dedication, care and compassion provided to Kwang and to lifelong friends at Community Presbyterian Church.