Lu Van Phan

Lu Phan, much beloved father, husband, and friend, passed away peacefully in the early hours of 08/01/2025. Born into a small family farm in a small rural community in central Vietnam (Que Son), his youth was spent balancing school and helping out on the farm, no different than any other kid. But unlike the other kids, he had an aptitude towards education and a vision of a different life for himself. He made it out of that rural town into a big city (Hoi An) to begin anew. Here he met his wife Mai, and together they raised a family of three kids (Trung, Toan, Quyen). Success in business led him and family to the bigger city of Saigon, to further build upon. Here, even greater business success awaited.

The fall of Saigon in 1975, resulted once again, in a vision of a different life for himself and his family than one under the communist rule. Through Thailand they landed in France to begin again. Lu got a job at the Peugeot plant to provide for his young family and young nephew (Thinh). He quickly came to an understanding that France could not provide the opportunities for them to prosper so he sought out a path to America. So, after two years in France, in 1977 they made their way to the US where they landed in the Pacific Northwest, Bellingham, to begin yet again. Foreign and different to this small Bellingham community, the family’s journey was documented in a half page article in the Bellingham Herald shortly after settling there.

Lacking a local Vietnamese community at the time, and understanding other families need pathways to the US, he became a sponsor for countless families. Sponsoring is a powerful act of support, as well, a serious long-term legal commitment. He took on this obligation out of a sense of duty, a belief in his people and an interest in building out this community.

His life’s impact is truly beyond measure. From farm boy in rural Vietnam to statesman in the US. A life marked by bold vision, uncompromising resolve, significant sacrifice, tremendous courage, underpinned by an unshakeable belief in himself. A life richly deserving of celebration.

We, his family, friends, and the larger community owe him much and miss him dearly.