Grand Finale to a Great Journey

Professor Sir Charles Kao, the third Vice-Chancellor of CUHK (1987–1996), passed away on 23 September at the age of 84.  His wake and funeral were held at the Hong Kong Funeral Home on 7 October and 8 October, respectively.

Thousands of people gathered at the Hong Kong Funeral Home on 7 October to pay their last respects to the ‘Father of Fibre Optics’, whose pioneering work in the development and application of fibre optics in the area of communications had won him a Nobel Prize in Physics. 

Lady Gwen Kao delivered her message of thanks: ‘I am very grateful and appreciative for the care and concern shown to the family during this sad time.’  She will carry out the last wishes of Professor Kao by raising the awareness of Alzheimer’s disease in the society and by supporting the patients and their families through the Charles K. Kao Foundation for Alzheimer’s Disease.

The funeral on 8 October was attended by over 450 government officials, leaders of the education and other sectors, colleagues, students, relatives and friends, among them was Mrs. Carrie Lam, Chief Executive of HKSAR, who was also one of the pall bearers alongside Prof. Rocky S. Tuan, Vice-Chancellor and President of CUHK, and others.

Professor Tuan described Professor Kao in his eulogy as ‘a meticulous and insightful scientist whose accomplishments have inspired technological innovations throughout the world’ and also ‘a far-sighted and broad-minded thinker who left an indelible mark on higher education’.

Condolence messages can be sent to the special website dedicated by the Faculty of Engineering to the memory of Professor Kao:
charleskkao-memorial.erg.cuhk.edu.hk