Kim Sam Vu Tonthat

Kim Sam Vu Tonthat, mother, grandmother, wife, classical pianist, harpist, organist, vocalist, painter, teacher, began her life journey April 1, 1936 in Hanoi, Vietnam and ended peacefully May 13, 2024, in Santa Clarita, CA. It was a journey that took her from North to South Vietnam, to the Philippines, Denver, CO, Monterey, CA, Kearney, NE and finally back to North Hollywood, CA.

Her musical journey began as a young child in Vietnam when her mother finally saved enough to buy a piano and private lessons. That gift of music defined Kim Sam throughout her life. She earned her Bachelor’s Degree in Music from the Philippines Women’s University while, still in her early twenties, simultaneously raising two young children, and as wife of a high-ranking Military Attache (Phu Ton That) at the Vietnamese Embassy, also graciously hosting countless diplomats and officials at their home in Manila. The family eventually emigrated to the U.S. in 1966. First stop was Colorado where Kim Sam earned a Master of Fine Arts degree while her husband earned his Ph.D. in Political Science, both from the University of Denver. The family settled in Kearney, Nebraska where her husband became a professor at University of Nebraska-Kearney and Kim Sam began her long and successful career as a piano teacher. She was an active member of the Nebraska State Music Teachers Association and became known as a piano teacher extraordinaire. She developed, inspired and instilled the gift of music appreciation for hundreds of young students throughout Nebraska and California, many of whom went on to win honors in prestigious state competitions. She even managed to successfully train all four of her own children to become pianists – perhaps the most difficult challenge of all.

Kim Sam's legacy is her music which she shared generously, at concerts and recitals, playing the piano, harp and organ at church services, singing in choirs, composing and arranging musical scores.. With a true artist soul and talent, later in her career she picked up a paintbrush and soon began creating watercolor works of art that were exhibited in galleries in Southern California.

Kim Sam was preceded in death by her brother Tuan Vu, parents Duc An and Vu Van Kiem. She is survived by a brother, Hai Vu; children Kim Khanh Kimbriel, Kim Hoang Hickman, Cuong Tonthat (Etta) and Mike Tonthat (Vivien); grandchildren Nicholas Kimbriel, Erik and Andrew Hickman, Ashley, Trent and Ellie Tonthat, and many loving nieces and nephews.