Binh Khuong Vuong

Binh Khuong Vuong was born on Jan.23, 1943, in Saigon Vietnam to Chinese parents. His mother was 18 years old and his father was 20. They raised him along with a succession of 7 brothers and sisters. He learned about the import-export trade at his father's store. He loved school, and especially excelled at math. He was also able to learn English, and later helped others fill out documents. In Vietnam, he worked at an American construction company called RMK. During the war, he was drafted to the South Vietnamese army, and worked along side American soldiers.

He met his future wife, Ha Tat, as a teenager. His father and Ha's father were colleagues and good friends. After a long courtship, they married in 1971. Soon after, a daughter, Bui Dinh (Monica), was born. A year later, a son, Van Hao (Tom). This was a time of political uncertainty in Vietnam. In 1975, the Americans left Vietnam under Communist rule. Binh and Ha were resourceful, setting up a small shop selling raw noodles with the rations of flour. Escape from Communist oppression was on everyone's mind. Binh designed a plan to help his family escape. Disguised as a fishing boat captain, he hid the family in the hull of the boat, dodging Vietnamese coast guards and pirates, and sailed to a Malaysian refugee camp. After several months, at last they were sponsored to come to America, in June of 1978.

At the age of 35, he started a new life. The world was at his feet. He had a young family to support, which he decicated his life to. Freedom was hard work. Binh held several jobs at once. He worked nights as a waiter at a restaurant called the Rice Paddy in Bellevue. He worked at The Red Lion cleaning rooms. He was also a mechanic at Volkswagen. In 1980, after only 2 years in the United States, he bought his first house in Redmond. He sponsored his parents and his siblings to the US.

In 1985, his dream job became available. He called it the golden rice bowl. For the next 24 years, he delivered mail for the US Postal Service, earning many awards along the way.

Binh was also interested in business, and saw opportunity in opening a Teriyaki restaurant in the 1986. He moved his family to Renton, and bought a house with a view. Real estate was a special interest. He spent many weekends driving to open houses. He also enjoyed traveling, and has been around the world.

In the fall of 2014, Binh's 91 year old father passed away. After not feeling well for months, tests and a CT scan showed Binh had stage 4 colon cancer with liver metastasis. Less than a year later, Binh passed away peacefully at home with his family by his side. He is survived by his loving 90 year old mother, his loyal and devoted wife Ha, caring daughter Monica, his supportive son Tom, 4 sisters, Binh, Amy, Mi, and Vanna. He is also survived by his brother Hang, 5 grandchildren, and numerous nieces and nephews.