Tsung-Kuang Lin

Professor Tsung-Kuang “T.K.” Lin gently passed away on December 21, 2013, surrounded by his family. Born on January 14, 1940, in Tainan, Taiwan, T.K. was the youngest of ten children.

At a young age, T.K. showed more promise athletically than academically. He was best known in Taiwan as an elite baseball pitcher, but he represented his province and island in soccer, track and field, and basketball as well. Despite spending most of his time on the field, he matured enough academically to matriculate to Tunghai University.

He earned an international scholarship to Pomona College before he entered his law and Ph.D. program at Fletcher School of Law and Diplomacy on Tufts University campus in Boston. He studied both economics and international relations with an emphasis on Asian studies. Just prior to their move to the east coast, he and Suzu married in Berkley California in 1964.

After finishing his degrees at Fletcher, he was offered a position at Drake University in Des Moines in 1970, where he stayed for 36 years before retiring. He maintained an emeritus position there but he spent most of his time pursuing his favorite past times of travel, classical music, photography, tennis, chasing grandchildren, spending time with his friends, carrying on the works of his father, and treasuring his moments with his wife of 50 years.

His family was well known in Taiwan and internationally for their work on Taiwan’s independence movement. Leading the charge was his father Bo-Seng Lin who, as an academic and political leader against the KMT government, was assassinated when T.K. was only 7 years of age. T.K. was also the former president of NATPA (North American Taiwanese Professors Association). He will be remembered as a strong leader in the organization and a passionate advocate of the Taiwanese democratic movement since the 1970s. As a scholar, he gave speeches and wrote articles to promote Taiwanese cause- the right to determine our future. His conviction never wavered in his entire life.

Upon being diagnosed with cancer, T.K. elevated his level of travel around the world having hit every continent, around 20 countries, sans Antarctica. His greatest and perhaps proudest trip came in 2012, when all three sons, seven grandchildren and two daughter-in-laws joined him and Suzu for a ten day, family-only bus tour around Taiwan. The family was treated to his introspective and historical discourses of the island.

T.K. is survived by his wife, Suzu of Clive; 3 children, Hoyt of Chaska, MN., Ian of Des Moines (Danielle), Jim of Poulsbo, WA (Sarah); and 7 grandchildren, Aaron, Austin, Zach, Emma, Kanoa, Grant, and Evan. He is also survived by sister, Yung-Mei.

His life and teachings will continue to be treasured and remembered.

A memorial service will be held at 2 pm, Sunday, December 29, 2013, at Hamilton’s on Westown Parkway, 3601 Westown Parkway, with a visitation/reception to follow at the funeral home.

Condolences may be made to HamiltonsFuneralHome.com.

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