Valentin Chu

On July 8, 2017, Valentin Chu passed away peacefully in his home with his family nearby. He was 100 years old and is survived by his wife of 62 years Victoria, and his son Douglas, daughter in law Stephanie and grandchildren Katie and Brandon.
Val had a long and happy life. He was a devoted husband and father as well as a world-renowned journalist and writer. His Chinese name was Chu Yuan-Lin but since his birthday was Feb 14, he took the English name of Valentin.
Val grew up in Shanghai, China where he was the eldest of 10 children (four boys and six girls), and graduated from St. John's University with a BA in Journalism. After university he became a reporter with The China Press, an influential English-language daily in Shanghai, where he covered politics, labor strikes and student riots in that tumultuous time from the end of WWII until the Communist takeover of China. In 1948 Val won first prize in a United Nations International Essay contest and a free trip to the US; upon his return to Shanghai he was the only passenger disembarking the ship as the Chinese civil war was nearing the city limits. Val went on to become the Hong Kong correspondent for Time and Life magazine, and a NY based editor for Time Inc. and Readers Digest. His by-line has appeared in Time, Life, US News and World Report, The New Leader, the US Congressional Record, and numerous periodicals in the UK, France, Italy and the Far East. He is also the author of three very influential and diverse books: Ta Ta, Tan Tan - The Inside Story of Communist China (1963), Thailand Today - A Visit to Modern Siam (1968), and The Ying-Yang Butterfly - Ancient Chinese Sexual Secrets for Western Lovers (1993).
In 1949 Val left Shanghai for Hong Kong, where he met the love of his life Vickie (also originally from St. John's and Shanghai) - they were married in 1954. Val and Vickie emigrated to the US in the late 50's and settled down in New York City where Val continued his successful career as a journalist and editor. In the 60's they had their only son, Doug, and moved from NYC to the nearby suburbs. After retirement, Val & Vickie relocated to the Bay Area and for the past couple of decades have enjoyed living in the Rossmoor community and watching their grandkids grow up.
While many think of Val as an intellectual, he was best known to his close friends as a loving family man, dedicated to Vickie and raising their son. He also loved to travel the world and was rarely seen without his Leica camera around his neck - he leaves behind many thousands of images of his travels, experiences and family adventures. Val lived a full and meaningful life and will be missed dearly by his family and friends. A memorial service will be held at the Fireside Room, Gateway Clubhouse in Rossmoor on Sunday Aug. 6, 2017 beginning at 330pm, and will be followed by dinner in the same place.