Former HND Board Member Passes Away
It is with sadness that we learn of the passing of a former HND board member, Mr. Teng (Tony) Lee. Mr. Lee served HND’s Board in the late 1990s and early 2000s. He understood HND’s national vision and invested a lot of his time, talent, and money to make sure HND could do its work.
Teng Lee was born on May 4, 1959 in Pharkapang, Xiengkhuang, Laos to Nao Chu Lee and Mao Yang. He was the second of four siblings.
He started first grade after his family relocated to Pha Khao. After sixth grade, he was one of the few Hmong students who took and passed an entrance exam to continue his education in the city of Thark Khek. He excelled at his education and was always in the top five of his class.
In 1976, the family emigrated to Syracuse, New York. He received his Bachelors of Science degree in chemistry from LeMoyne College. Later, he earned his Masters of Business Administration from the University of Phoenix. He married Yee Yang in 1982 and had two children, Marie and James. Tony taught English to Hmong refugees in Saginaw, Michigan for two years, then returned back to Syracuse where he worked for Inficon as a chemist. In 1993, he received the bronze medal for the National Plant Engineering award of the year.
His volunteer activities include being a member of Hmong National Development (HND) and Asian Pacific Group. He is survived by his wife, Yee; children, Marie Visker (Mark) and James; and grandchildren, Mark and Malia.