Rita Kathleen Chow

Dr. Rita K. Chow, EdD, RN, a pioneering nurse, educator, and public health advocate, passed away peacefully on June 9, 2025, at the age of 98. Born in San Francisco, California on August 19, 1926, to Peter and May (Chan) Chow, she was the youngest of three children, including her late siblings Ronald Chow and Ruth Wong.

Growing up bilingual in English and Chinese, Rita cultivated an early love for language, poetry, and calligraphy. These childhood experiences, along with her deep sense of values, would shape a life of tireless service, intellectual rigor, and compassion.

Despite the challenges and discrimination she faced as a Chinese American woman in the mid-20th century, Rita never allowed bitterness to define her. Instead, she met every barrier with quiet perseverance, steadfast determination, and strong Christian faith.

Dr. Chow began her nursing career as a teaching assistant and staff nurse at Stanford University Hospital from 1950 to 1952, having earned her Bachelor of Science in Nursing from Stanford in 1950. She went on to receive her Master of Science in Teaching Surgical Nursing from Case Western Reserve University in 1955 and later earned a Doctor of Education degree from Columbia University in 1968. Further studies in public health and gerontology at George Mason University would focus her lifelong commitment to the care of aging populations.

Her distinguished career included leadership roles within the U.S. Public Health Service and Indian Health Service, where she advanced public health policy and nursing practices across the country including: Associate Editor, American Journal of Nursing; Deputy Director, Health Care Resources Branch; Deputy Chief Nurse Officer, U.S. Public Health Service; Deputy Director, Office of Long-Term Care; and Supervisory Clinical Nurse, Indian Health Service. From 1954 to 1968, she served with distinction in the U.S. Army Reserves, achieving the rank of Captain.

Since 1974, Dr. Chow focused much of her work on improving care for older adults. In 1996, she became Director of the National Interfaith Coalition on Aging and the National Council on Aging. She authored or edited over 100 professional publications and was honored with more than 35 national awards. In 1999, she was inducted into the Columbia University Teachers College Nursing Hall of Fame. Most recently, in 2024, she was named a Living Legend by the American Academy of Nursing—one of the highest honors in the field.

Beyond her professional achievements, Rita was deeply engaged in volunteer work. She found joy and purpose in serving with organizations such as the Smithsonian Museum, the Girl Scouts, the Kennedy Center for the Arts, and her church.

Rita is survived by her loving nephews, Dr. Michael Lee and his wife, Miriam, and Rev. Dr. Daniel Wong and his wife, Flora, who remember her as a woman of great intellect, warmth, and principle.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in her memory and to continue her legacy of education and service to: American Nurses Foundation, the Rita Chow-Yaye Togasaki-Breitenbach Scholar Fund, 8403 Colesville Road, Suite 500, Silver Spring, MD 20910 https://ebiz.nursingworld.org/ANFDonation

A viewing will be held at Murphy Funeral Home in Arlington on July 17 from 6-8pm and funeral at the Chinese Community Church on July 18: 9:30-10am viewing and service at 10am. 500 I St NW, Washington, DC 20001. Interment at the National Memorial Cemetery at Quantico at 2pm.

Dr. Rita K. Chow leaves behind a legacy of compassion, leadership, and advocacy that improved countless lives and will continue to inspire generations to come.

There is free parking available at the PMI lot on 9th St. NW between NY Ave and I St. Take a ticket when entering and the church will validate it with a stamp when leaving.